It was a bewitching hour for Awa Kings Muay Thai's Lee Kara as he managed to drag giant Aucklander Dave Tuitupou into deep waters to win the WKA New Zealand K1 super heavyweight title by split decision in Hamilton at around 12.15am yesterday.
As the 'Battle in the Waikato: Round 9' show was running very long due to last-minute card changes and technical issues with the group's livestream, Kara's main event fight against Arsenal ETK's Tuitupou, who towered over him at 2.04m and 150kg, didn't start until after 11.45pm.
In the opening rounds, Kara fought to survive as Tuitupou manhandled him into the corners and unloaded with some vicious leg kicks which hurt the Whanganui fighter but did not buckle him.
Kara had a hard time reaching the long range with his punches while Tuitupou lined up his ribs and abdomen with kicks and knee strikes, but the underdog stayed calm and focused as he absorbed the punishment of rounds 1-2.
Come the third round Tuitupou began to slow down and Kara caught him with punching combinations, pressing forward and pouring it on in the corner, with Tuitupou now trying to tie him up while also landing an accidental low knee.