What: Annual Fight for Life charity boxing event
Who: Ben Tameifuna v Willie Mason; Monty Betham v Carlos Spencer; “Brown Buttabean” Dave Letele v Loni Uhila; Mille Elder-Holmes v Frankie Adams; Jeff Horn v Robson Assis
When: Saturday, 6 December – 6pm AEDT
Where: Claudelands Arena – Hamilton
I can watch it on: Main Event
NZ TAB Odds:
Elder-Holmes $1.60 Adams $2.25
Monty Betham $1.15 Carlos Spencer $5
Jeff Horn $1.18 Robson Assis $4.50
What is it?
This year’s Fight for Life will be headlined by Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker, who takes on Brazilian slugger Irineu Beato Costa Jr.
The Fight for Life itself offers some tantalising matches with all proceeds going to Hospice Waikato.
Former Warriors captain Monty Betham takes on former All Blacks first-five Carlos Spencer in a professional bout over four three minute rounds.
Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna goes toe-to-toe with league player Willie Mason and “Brown Buttabean” Dave Letele takes on Waikato front-rower Loni Uhila.
Shortland Street star Frankie Adams fights legendary broadcaster Sir Paul Holmes’ daughter Millie and Aussie gun Jeff “The Hornet” Horn fights Brazilian Robson Assis.
What you need to know:
Monty Betham has a 5-1 boxing record and his only loss was a six round decision to Shane Cameron in 2011. His dad was a champion middleweight in the early ‘80s who had a 43-10 record.
Carlos Spencer has fought leaguies Awen Guttenbeil and Jarrod McCracken in previous Fight for Life events, but this will be his professional debut.
He’s had to juggle his own training with his day job of coaching the Southern Kings rugby team in South Africa and says he’s probably thrown himself in the deep end but loves a challenge.
Willie Mason’s only other bout was a spectacular draw with former All Black forward Troy Flavell in the 2012 Fight for Life and he’s been itching to get back in the ring ever since.
Tameifuna’s only other fight was a loss to Broncos forward Sam Thaiday in 2013 and the Chiefs prop gives up a 16cm height advantage to 34-year-old Mason.
Neither Millie Elder-Holmes or Frankie Adams have boxed before but Elder-Holmes says she was inspired to step into the ring after the death of her father in 2013 to cancer and her partner Connor Morris, who was killed in a street fight earlier this year.
“Brown Buttabean” – a loudmouth showman – defeated Manu Vatuvei’s brother, Lopini, in July and Jonah Lomu’s brother, John, on the undercard to Joseph Parker’s last fight in October.
Uhila has been nick-named the Tongan Bear and answered the call when Buttabean issued a challenge to any “Waikato man over 130kg”.
Aussie welterweight Jeff Horn is a former Olympian with an 8-0-1 record fighting mainly around Queensland.
Horn’s opponent, Robson Assis, is 14-0 with eight knock-outs but this will be his first fight outside Brazil.
Say what:
Carlos Spencer –
“It's a personal challenge. When (fight promoters) Duco got in touch with me I didn't think I would put the gloves on again.
“Time isn't on my side, but I thought why not give it a shot. For me it's a one-off opportunity, they don't come around that often."
Monty Betham, whose weight ballooned after losing to Cameron –
"It's probably the worst shape I've got into in a long time.
”I got into some bad habits... so for me it was perfect timing and to come against someone who is a fierce competitor and someone who always comes in good shape.
“Although probably down on experience he is a born winner and I've been thinking about it daily."
Our predictions:
Mason will beat Tameifuna by decision.
Buttabean will be too much for Uhila in a TKO.
Elder-Holmes will take Adams.
Betham will knock-out Spencer.
Horn to earn a decision win over Robson.