Boxing: Monty Betham matches father's exploits by winning national title

James `Batman` Langton, left, fights Monty Betham in the New Zealand Cruiserweight NZNBF title challenge at the Super 8 Fight Night in Auckland. Photo/Photosport Limited 2015/www.photosport.nz

Former Kiwis and Warriors enforcer Monty Betham matched his father's exploits by becoming a New Zealand boxing champion at the Super 8 Fight Night in Auckland on Tuesday.

Betham fulfilled his long-held ambition to claim a national title by winning the NZNBF cruiserweight belt with a unanimous decision victory over James Langton in a hard fought clash over 10 rounds.

The 37-year-old was pleased to have followed in his father's steps, with Monty Betham Senior a former national middle and heavyweight title holder, and two-time Commonwealth middleweight champion.

"I'm very, very happy," Betham said. "I love the sport of boxing and have loved it for some time, even from back in the early days when my dad did what he did.

"To get a New Zealand belt, which is a legitimate title, just makes me very proud."

So eager was he to hear his father's appraisal of what he described as an "ugly" performance, Betham phoned his dad from the middle of the ring just moments after being announced as the new title holder.

"He was at home. I gave him a call while I was still in the ring, so he had his critique," he said.

"There were some fair points...but let's say he wasn't as impressed, but I got the job done."

Betham was satisfied having got through his first 10-round fight but believes he has much to improve on.

"You live and learn from that. I want to get in there and go again and defend the title, potentially against James or someone else.

"I enjoyed the card tonight, it was a quality card, and I'd like to be a part of more of these."

In the main event, New South Wales State of Origin and Cronulla Sharks NRL captain Paul Gallen extended his professional fight record to four wins after beating Warriors back-rower Bodene Thompson in the celebrity feature bout.

Gallen praised his rival who tested him over four rounds with a range of powerful shots and evasive footwork.

"I knew from the start it would be tough," he said. "It's definitely different fighting a southpaw but forget about that - he was evasive and hard to hit.

"Everyone told me he was as fit as a fiddle and I heard a few whispers that they were quietly confident that they were going to win and he'd done a lot of sparring. We both had to dig deep but I got the win."