Rotorua is set to host an enthralling boxing tournament.
A boxing team of more than 100 fighters, including 18 local fighters, will compete in the ring in the Central North Island Boxing tournament at RotoVegas Boxing Gym tomorrow. Highlights include a top-billed bout between South Aucklander Patrick Maalaka and Canterbury's Sam Watt to fight for the New Zealand superheavyweight No1 ranking and a middleweight bout to qualify for a Oceania Championship and Commonwealth Games spot.
"It's an important to have something this big in our district," RotoVegas head trainer and owner Aaron Warren said. "There are some huge fights - I'm especially looking forward to the heavyweight bout - it could be a classic. The big boys will be in the ring.
"Also the middleweight fight has a lot on the line - it's great for spectators to have the chance to see that contest."
There will also be more than 25 other fights on the card ranging from the young cadet division, junior and senior categories with Warren aided by Rex Jenkins who runs the Central Boxing Club in Fordlands and has a small team of fighters competing.