Shane Cameron and Nigerian Friday "The 13th" Ahunanya square off. Photo / Getty Images
Shane Cameron has been studying video of his opponent, Friday "The 13th" Ahunanya, in preparation for the heavyweight bout against his former sparring partner at Auckland's SkyCity tonight, but the Nigerian reckons it's a waste of time.
Ahunanya will certainly be Cameron's toughest opponent since he turned pro
in 2002 and with three regional belts on the line for the WBA and WBO the match should not want for intensity.
The pair squared off in training in Las Vegas but the visitor doesn't rate that as giving him any insight into Cameron's fight plan either.
"The tapes mean nothing, the history means nothing," said Ahunanya. "A lot has changed over the years [since they sparred]."
And, he's not interested in what Cameron has done since.
"I'm really not interested in tapes, things change." He would get in the ring and see what happens, he said.
Ahunanya's record is 22 wins with 12 KOs, five losses (one of those by knockout) and three draws. He is ranked 105 of the 1101 boxers registered on boxrec.com. Cameronis 19-0 with 17 wins by KO and is ranked 37th.
Cameron has a height advantage of 1.87m to 1.82m and a slightly longer reach. The Nigerian weighed in for the 12-round headline fight at 104.75kg and Cameron 102.95kg.
The Auckland fighter is not afraid of the Nigerian.
"I'm ready for him, I'm not sure he's ready for me," Cameron said smiling.
"Hopefully this will open some doors for me."
His next bouts may be overseas as he seeks a higher profile and bigger paydays.
On the undercard, WBA world women's champion Layla McCarter steps up from super-lightweight to meet New Zealand welterweight champ Daniella Smith in what Smith said yesterday will be her last fight.
At cruiserweight, Soulan Pownceby weighed in at 80.75kg for his contest with former Pakistan amateur champion and now Hamilton resident Kashif Mumtaz who was 79.4kg.
Junior middleweights David Wiremu and Steve Heremaia were both 67kg.
Aucklander Seiaute Mailata weighed in at 95.6kg for what looks like a tough assignment at heavyweight against the 106kg transplanted American Ed Mahone.
For the sake of the image of professional boxing in New Zealand the main event needs to last several rounds and presents a real contest for spectators.
Recent mismatches and a run of easy victories, including Cameron's last fight and Monty Betham's two recent bouts, have seen the sport take a beating.
