It may have been a night to remember for David Nyika, but it was a moment to shine for our Pacific stars on one of boxing’s biggest nights.
He’s usually in the ring with the gloves laced on.
This time however, Lupesoliai Joseph Parker has traded the gloves for a suit, as he puts on his promoter’s hat under his company Parker Promotions.
And in that role, Parker was able to co-promote the recent David Nyika and Tommy Karpency fight, held at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland city.
The fight night, drawing a lot of attention from boxing fans and pundits to the shores of Aotearoa.
“I don’t feel like we have had a massive event like this for a long time. I feel like the last boxing event we had was myself and Junior Fa,” Parker muses.
“I feel like this is a big event that everyone is interested in, there’s a lot of buzz around and a lot of interest because a lot of people are coming to the fight.”
Fulfilling his duties as co-promoter, Parker admits he’s had to learn more about the fighters and their stories, many of whom share his Pasifika heritage and one of those fighters is heavyweight Hemi Ahio.
“I was born and raised in South Auckland, lived a little bit around it. Now I am out East been there the last ten to 12 years, so that’s pretty much home. But yeah, everywhere, I have stayed around Auckland city a bit,” Ahio says.
“We’re over here in the middle of the city, I know so many of the kids here that have, like, hit me up for GA tickets and I have had to tell them, sorry it’s like a black tie event.” he laughed.
One of only two female fighters on the card, Trish Vaka understands what the event means for her as a boxer.
“It’s been a long journey. I’ve been boxing for a few years now. Started back when I was 17 and caught a couple of corporate fights then went to amateur. Didn’t really go well with amateur just being a teenager and just wanting to experience the world,” Vaka says.
“And then had kids and then wanted to come back and do some boxing. I saw some great female boxers and they inspired me to get back into the ring and give it a go too.”
In a male-dominated sport, Vaka reflected on the challenges she’s endured through her career and how much her children have inspired her to keep pushing.
“Training around a mother’s busy schedule with children, home life, my kids’ sports life,” Vaka says, getting emotional.
“They mean so much, you know. And for me to inspire them, is a more meaningful thing.”
Also fighting on the night is 18 year old Alex Leapai Jnr. The Leapai family name is no stranger to the world of boxing, with his father Alex Leapai Snr having represented Samoa and Australia on the big stage too.
In 2014, Leapai Snr fought his way to the top earning a world title shot against Wladimir Klitchsko. Now retired, he’s still in the boxing scene only this time in the corner of his son Alex Jnr.
The 18-year-old, who was destined for a career in the NRL, made a big decision this year to switch to boxing rather than rugby league.
His father, who wasn’t supportive at first, has now taken a ‘mentor’ role helping young Alex manoeuvre through the sport.
“Yeah Dad is ah, he’s always been a supportive person you know,” Alex says.
“Not once did he really want me to do boxing. He himself knew how hard the sport was and he wanted me to do football.
“And to have him understand where I am coming from and to have his support because he has already been in the game makes boxing and the decision easy.”
The youngster was grateful for the opportunity to take part in the event, but knew he had a lot to work and train on given his lack of experience in the sport.
“I only just scratched my potential in this game. And I know myself that my talent can be seen all over the world. I always thought to myself, if I could be great in Australia I could be great around the world,” he says.
“And also just to make a name for myself, you know. I’m really proud of dad’s accomplishments in his boxing career, but I believe it’s my time now.”
Alex took on Manusiu Feao and won by KO, flooring Feao canvas in the second round and showcasing his potential for the future.
“I’m really proud of my son,” Leapai Snr says.
“He trained so hard and we didn’t know anything about the person he’s fighting but he got the job done.”
