Kickboxers set to rumble

Four main events have been carded for the Featherston Muay Thai Club's annual "Rumble in the Rapa" fight night on Saturday.

A women's tag team bout featuring Featherston's Eseta Manesa and Ramona Sargent against Muay Thai Institute duo SJ McCann and Bailey Palmer will be the first of its kind in New Zealand.

FMTC coach and tournament organiser Kelly Davis has been impressed with the enthusiasm of Manesa and Sargent in training.

"They know they are creating a bit of history and are wanting to put on an awesome fight for the crowd," Davis said. "They are ready to go."

For Manesa, 17, this will be one of her last appearances before she represents New Zealand in the 63.5kg junior division at the world Muay Thai championships in Thailand next month.

Coach Davis will accompany her and will have added responsibilities as a trainer for the Kiwi junior contingent.

A second tag team bout on Saturday night will see locals Kirk Davis and Cody Tomuri pit their skills against Nelson combination Leon Tangaroa and Jahda Wharepapa.

Davis and Tomuri have represented New Zealand at Muay Thai and will make up a formidable team but they can expect stern opposition from Tangaroa and Wharepapa, both of whom are experienced fighters who like to go toe-to-toe with their opposition.

The TBA North Island welterweight title will also be on the line when local Terry Cremen does battle with Sam Speight from Nelson, while the WMC North Island welterweight title holder Adam Manisy of Porirua will confront MTI's Andrew McGrath, who is coming off the back of a win in a four-man 66.6kg contest, during which he beat Kirk Davis in the final.

Eight fighters from the Featherston club will be in action as well as Andrew McGrath and Carl Tangen from Masterton and Shane Johnston from Featherston, who have both recently relocated themselves on the other side of the hill.

The doors at the Featherston Anzac Hall will open at 6pm with the first fight due to get under way at 6.30pm.