Boxing: Late KO gives Cameron the title

Shane Cameron. File photo / Getty Images

It took him 12 rounds but New Zealand's Shane Cameron got the spectacular knockout - and the title belt - he was after against durable Australian Dominic Vea in Sydney last night.

Cameron was forced to survive some shaky moments in the Commonwealth cruiserweight title fight as Vea poured on the pressure in the 10th round, but he was probably well ahead on points before the dramatic final round.

For much of the fight there was little sign of the knockout power Cameron claimed he still had despite shedding more than 15kg to drop to cruiserweight.

But when both fighters opened up in the final round, Cameron stopped Vea cold with a clean right hand and then sent him sprawling to the canvas with three more solid shots.

Vea's corner had seen enough, throwing in the towel with 1min 21s remaining.

"Credit to the man, I knew he was going to come tough but I didn't realise he was going to come that tough," Cameron said.

"He made it hard for me. I started well but in the middle rounds he started to pinch a couple so I knew I needed to come on strong."

Vea was the superior fighter on the inside, and produced flurries that troubled Cameron in the sixth, eighth and tenth rounds.

But each time Cameron came back strongly to take the following round.

The Kiwi used a sharp jab to control the majority of the fight and was also able to land crunching body shots with impunity.

Vea seemed largely untroubled by Cameron's best punches and might even have fancied his chances of pulling off the upset.

That all changed in an instant when Cameron's crisp right found its mark.

"I had been going for that shot all night and luckily I caught him late in that 12th round," Cameron said.

The Gisborne fighter became the first New Zealander since Monty Betham Sr to claim the Commonwealth title.