Millie: fighting to make Connor proud

Drawing on the spirit of her slain partner, Millie Elder-Holmes proved a knockout in the ring in the Fight for Life's Battle of the Belles last night.

Fighting just four months after the death of Connor Morris - who died in Elder-Holmes' arms after a fight in West Auckland - the 26-year-old former model proved too strong for departing Shortland Street star Frankie Adams at Hamilton's Claudelands Arena.

Cheered on by friends and members of Morris' family, the stepdaughter of the late Sir Paul Holmes came out swinging early on.

After three, at-times brutal rounds on the undercard of the Joseph Parker v Irineu Beato Costa jnr main event, she was judged the winner in a unanimous decision by the three judges.

Asked afterwards how she had managed to dominate the taller and younger Adams, Elder-Holmes said: "Just work. The fitness was definitely good to focus on."

Elder-Holmes finished the bout with a flourish in the third round, leaving the judges in no doubt about the winner.

Asked if she would fight again, she said, "Maybe, one day."

Adams, who made the 68kg weight on Friday night, had few answers to Elder-Holmes' onslaught, saying afterwards: "She was a really good opponent." The packed-out crowd featured Wallabies star Israel Folau, who has previously been romantically linked to Adams, who the Herald on Sunday revealed last week was ditching Shorty for Hollywood.

Other sporting A-listers included All Blacks Liam Messam and Tawera Kerr-Barlow, and Warriors Manu Vatuvei and Konrad Hurrell.

Millie Elder-Holmes motivated by her slain partner's memory.

Morris, 26, died of head injuries following the incident in Massey on August 3.

Michael Murray, 33, will stand trial next year charged with murder. He has pleaded not guilty.

Elder-Holmes said boxing training had proven to be great "therapy" as she looked to rebuild her life after Morris' death. His memory was motivating her and she would fight to make him proud.

The death of Morris and Sir Paul had encouraged her to take part in the Fight For Life. A portion of the funds raised last night were to be donated to Hospice Waikato.

On the eve of the bout, Morris' dad, Chris - a member of the Head Hunters gang - said he believed his late son would be watching over Elder-Holmes during the fight.

The Morris family was going to be on hand to emotionally and verbally support Connor's partner.

Morris was 100 per cent confident Elder-Holmes would be triumphant.

"Of course, she's going to win. She's been training hard and she is psyched," he laughed.

In the lead-up to last night's bout Elder-Holmes was trained by amateur boxing champion Hurricane Doyle, the daughter of the president of the Head Hunters East chapter Wayne Doyle.

Morris admitted the last few months since Connor's death had been "extremely difficult".

"It has been hard. Connor was a good boy. He and Millie were a good couple ... they really looked after each other," he said.