Boxing: Titleholder makes heavy work of lightweight bout

By PETER JESSUP

Aucklander Santos Pakau made hard work of his 18th pro win when he mixed it with his kickboxer opponent, rather than boxing his way to defend his New Zealand lightweight title at Alexandra Park yesterday.

Pakau won a unanimous points decision over David Gahan in a crowd-pleasing slug-fest, and admitted afterwards he had been knocked a couple of times during the eight-rounder.

His father and trainer, BJ Pakau, and manager Mike Edwards wanted to give the 18-year-old a hard task before sending him overseas to make a name for himself and, hopefully, working his way to title contention.

He got that and more from the older Gahan, who won two of the eight rounds, at one stage backing Pakau to the ropes and stunning him with a flurry of punches.

Pakau had a height advantage but failed to use it well.

He was always ahead on points but nearly got nailed.

Edwards said the teen would probably drop to junior lightweight and was looking to meet Pan Asian Boxing Association-ranked fighters. Yesterday's effort was the sort of tough preliminary he needed for that.

There were two PABA title fights on yesterday's card. Maselino Masoe proved he still has a big hand, winning a sixth-round stoppage over a brave Peter Mokomoko at middleweight.

Masoe opened well but lost his way as he tired and Mokomoko got braver. However, Masoe had too much skill and worked his way to victory with solid head shots.

Australian Paul Murdoch made a first defence of the PABA light-heavyweight title he took from Anthony Bigeni when Samoan heavyweight champion Viliamu Lesiva's corner threw in the towel midway into round six.

The bigger Murdoch was always in control but Lesiva came to fight and chased until he simply ran out of steam. Murdoch dropped him 10 seconds into round five and, after the re-start, the towel came in when Lesiva couldn't answer.

Gerard Zohs retained his New Zealand super-middleweight title with a unanimous decision over Moroni Schwalger for five wins on the trot since he lost to Anthony Mundine.

Schwalger learnt about the step from amateur to pro as Zohs mercilessly worked his abdomen and, as the defence dropped, went to the head for points.