Boxing: Cameron puts his career on the line

New Zealand heavyweight champion Shane Cameron faces the toughest test of his short pro career tonight when he steps into the ring against Aussie veteran Colin Wilson.

The Kiwi-born Queenslander has a height and reach advantage, 37 more pro-fights under his belt and a southpaw's surprises as well.

It's a big risk for Cameron, who has ambitions to go on from this fight to contest a Pan Pacific title and use that as a lead-in to the United States.

Wilson left New Zealand aged 8 and regards himself as a Queenslander. The Emerald-based fighter has been a professional since 1992 and has 30 wins - 18 knock-outs - and 17 losses.

Cameron is 11 wins, no losses but is yet to fight someone of Wilson's class.

"There is some risk but it's risk that Shane is ready for," said his manager for Cullen Sports, Don Mann. "He wants to have a shot at a serious world title."

But before that he wants to be the best in the region and to do that he had to beat the best.

Both fighters have beaten Sydney-based Kiwi Auckland Auimatagi, Cameron knocking him out in the first defence of his New Zealand title, a round two KO on March 4 in Feilding; Wilson in a 10-round points decision last year.

Wilson lost his most recent fight, to former Aussie champ Bob Mirovic.

If Cameron wins the 12-round contest for the International Boxing Federation Australasian heavyweight belt at the ASB Stadium in Kohimarama tonight, he will fight Perth's Roger Izonritei for the IBF Pan Pacific title.

That title was held by another Aussie-based Kiwi, Kali Meehan, before he went on to fight in Las Vegas. Izonritei has to accept the mandatory challenge by the end of July.

Cameron has been sparring with American Dale Crowe, also a southpaw, who is to spar with Mike Tyson ahead of his latest comeback.

Crowe fights Shane Wijohn, who lost the New Zealand heavyweight title to Cameron last December, in the last of six bouts on the undercard.

Of interest is the return of talented former lightweight champ Santos Pakau, who returns after a two-year break to fight Samoan Aucklander Mako Sapoulu at middleweight.

Aussie boxer Anthony Mundine, whose WBA world super middleweight title challenge against Mikkel Kessler of Denmark has been delayed until mid-June, will offer comments for broadcaster TV3.

Shane Cameron

Born:October 17, 1977 Gisborne
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 107.70kg
Reach: 187cm
Record: 11-0 (10KOs)
World ranking: 188

Colin Wilson

Born: 18/4/72 New Zealand
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 113.8kg
Reach: 200cm
Record: 30-17-0 (18 KOs)
World ranking: 117