Boxing: Cameron returns to familiar surroundings

Boxer Shane Cameron heads back to Feilding today ahead of his bid to try to secure the 11th straight win of his professional career on Friday night.

The New Zealand heavyweight champion made the Manawatu town his base when he launched his campaign to get into the 2002 Commonwealth Games team. He went on to win bronze in Manchester.

He fought there last July, beating Hiriwa Te Rangi on points, his only pro fight that has gone the distance.

Cameron, 27, returns to the Fielding Civic Centre to face New Zealand-born, Sydney-based Auckland Auimatagi in a scheduled 10-round contest.

Auimatagi, 29, has just four wins in his 13 fights.

Among his eight losses are two to No 1 ranked Australian Bob Mirovic, and one to Solomon Haumono, who is now back playing rugby league for the London Broncos after a brief career in the ring.

Auimatagi's last bout resulted in a 10-round points defeat in a title shot against Australian heavyweight champion Colin Wilson in October.

He is due to arrive in Auckland today.

Meanwhile, the Cullen Sports-managed Cameron said he couldn't be happier with his build-up since his last fight, when he beat Shane Wijohn in Auckland on December 4 to claim the New Zealand title.

"I'm ready for this and it's great to be able to go back to fight in front of the people in Feilding."

The weigh-in will be at the Feilding Hotel at 5pm tomorrow.

- NZPA