World champ kickboxer joins fight fest

PRIMED: "Hybrid" Hopman has been confirmed as a contender in the inaugural King in the Ring transtasman crusiserweight showdown at the ASB Stadium in Auckland on April 11. The event will be televised.

World champion Masterton kickboxer Zane "Hybrid" Hopman has been confirmed for battle in the inaugural King in the Ring transtasman cruiserweight showdown in Auckland next month.

Hopman, 24, who fights out of the Fortitude Thai boxing Gym in Masterton under head coach Bryce Baron and boxing coach John Kamo, took heavyweight kickboxing gold at the 2014 WMC IMFA World Championships in Malaysia, and made his televised debut last year in the King in the Ring series.

Hopman, whose sponsors include Kuripuni Sports Bar, Wai Weight Private Gym, CLM, Lone Star Masterton and Trev's Sports, also went international for his pro boxing debut at a Jupiters Hotel and Casino fight night in Queensland last year.

During his build-up over past months for the upcoming tournament, had been sparring with fellow professional boxer Lance Bryant, a Pahiatua shepherd and four-time amateur champion, who will fight at the televised Super8 cruiserweight event at Horncastle Arena in Christchurch on March 28.

The transtasman eliminator event will be decided at the ASB Stadium on April 11 and other confirmed contenders include reigning King in the Ring Cruiserweight New Zealand champion, the "Style Bender" Israel Adesanya, who will headline the New Zealand team, and four elite Australian fighters.

Four massive super fights also grace the inaugural transtasman fight card including a middleweight bout, and a 62kg grudge match between Sone Vannathy and Pumpini Ngaronoa.

Heavyweight Nato Laauli also takes on Pane "The Punisher" Haraki and in a battle of the North & South, "Cobra" Chris Eades will join battle with with Jordan "The Sniper" Syme.