Former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) world super middleweight champion Maselino Masoe is now training John Parker for tonight’s fight against Fiji cruiserweight champion Alivereti Kauyaca in Hamilton, New Zealand.

The fight is for IBF (International Boxing Federation) Pan Pacific cruiserweight title, the winner will get a chance to get into the top 15 of the IBF rankings.

Not only will this be Parker’s first international fight, but it will also be his first major regional title, which is a rarity in New Zealand outside of the usual events done by Dean Lonergan and Duco Events.

The IBF Pan Pacific title is a significant title in New Zealand. Many New Zealand greats have held it, including Shane Cameron, Jimmy Thunder, Kali Meehan, Maselino Masoe, Sean Sullivan, and, more recently, Andrei Mikhailovich.

Parker is well-known as the younger brother of fourth ranked world heavyweight champion, Joseph Parker. He continues to aim to make a name for himself and step out of the shadow of his older brother.

Kauyaca has made a name for himself in Fiji, doing well domestically, climbing international rankings, and reaching the top 100 on Boxrec.

However, this was not without controversy. Kauyaca recently defended his title against veteran Joseph Kwadjo, winning by unanimous decision. However, he was stripped of the national title due to accusations of illegal hand wraps containing cement plaster. Despite the striping of the title, the unanimous decision win remained intact.

Now the decision has changed with Kauyaca given the approval to hold on to the title.

Since then, he has moved to New Zealand and has signed-up with CTP Boxing Promotions, Craig Thomson, for a 12-month contract.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj