SBA and GYM NEWS
Do Not Fear To Take Risks - Challenge Is A Privilege
King Afa
Mt Wellington Netball Stadium, Friday, Feb26King Afa Tatupu in his 1st Pro fight easily defeated Vai Toevai In what was scheduled for a 4x3mins bout it took approximately two minutes of the 1st round for King Afa to halt proceedings. The King dropped Toevai 3 times to get the fight waved off. Afa caught Toevai with clean solid punches in the 1st stanza and Toevai went into panic mode, only to be caught again and sent to the canvas with educated power punching., the 3rd stanza had Toevai attempting to hold but King Afa suckered him to a right uppercut left hook combo to effectively end his evening at the stadium. Afa did well in his pro debut with the 1st round stoppage when it took experienced pros Monty Betham 6rds. Dominic Vea 2rds, Mark De Mori 3rds and Alex Leapai could only manage a UD over 4rds. Afa's corner: Ron Foley, Hayden Heta and Chris Martin.
SBA gym's action year
2nd February, 2010Shamrock gym will see plenty of action through the boxing calendar of 2010. Afa Tatupu * Samoan Sadist * will make his pro debut at Mt. Wellington and launching a pro career. Aung Sanda will vigorously campaign the 60kgs ( Lightweight ) amateur senior ranking, Nathan Service in comeback mode after 18 months layoff will contest the senior ranks in the 75kg ( middleweight ) division, Sovantha Meak is all out in the 54kg ( bantamweight ) division, while Junior fighter Kevin Meak will go hard in the 57 kg ( Jnr Lightweight ) division. Youngster Kaleo Kaituu at 80 kgs is eyeing the Golden Gloves Junior spot. Registered new comers Simona Lokeni. Yuki Bond and Yadana Sai will be finding their mark this year. Amateur senior heavyweight Eric Fuimaono is looking to impress. SBA will have its own registered official to begin the season and welcomes Mrs Loviani Kaituu to its fold. The SBA gym is also happy to retain the services of coach Vili Tuitupou as well as incumbents Vasco Kovacevic and Hayden Heta. SBA has booked two Pro-Ams at Howick RSA premises the 1st on May8 and then August14.
Compliments of the season everyone, we hope the break has gone well for you as it has for us
8th January, 2010The gym officially opens for business (general boxing and boxfit at usual times, and TipTop at 6AM) on Monday, January11. LET THE GAMES BEGIN. And now its down to business for the start of a busy year ahead for boxers and trainers as we begin with new expectations for an active year ahead.
Our first SBA general meeting in 2010 is scheduled for Sunday 17th January, 4pm at Shamrock gym. *The main agenda is our 1st SBA tournament of the year and indeed the 1st in 18months. The tournament is set to be held at the Howick RSA on February27.*
New members welcome.
New Challenge Office Direct
20th November, 2009Tip Top office staff have again laid the gauntlet to office employees anywhere who fancy their chances in fistic duals with regards to age, weight and experience. Tip Top have now formed a new challenging group ( some previous members included) and adopted the title "Fight Club". The club gets into training over a set period of time twice weekly in a crash course of fitness and boxing coaching resulting in controlled good natured challenges at the courses conclusion. The Fight Club begins the new 8 week training course on Monday Nov23. at 6.15AM getting the 1st four weeks out of the way before Christmas. "Fight Club" coordinator and leading contender John Martin is the organizer with SBA for this fitness and conditioning programme.
The new way to appropriate good friendships while developing life skills and fitness.
National Boxing Champs, Rotorua 8-10 October 2009
11th October, 2009Aung Sander and Sovantha Meak were the sole Shamrock contenders at this National boxing meet at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua.
Aung Sanda weighing in under 64kgs in the Elite L/W division, faced Nuka Gemmell (Waikato) in the 1st session in bout 3. The result of the bout was a draw on the computer scoring system which went to a Judges preferance and the fight awarded to Nuka Gemmell. Aung Sanda was in his 4th bout after a layoff for three years was two points up at the end of round two but failed to hold the lead in the final round.
Sovantha Meak a small featherweight faced experienced Stacy Meehan of Manawatu on the 2nd day of the tournament in session four. Coming into only his 2nd fight after a three year absence, Savantha did well to keep himself in the fight for the initial 2 rounds, however managed to draw the scoring a bit closer to lose 15-9 to Meehan.
Ex Shamrock 70kgs female star Daena Stephenson fighting out of John McKays gym under Central Auckland Boxing Assn went down to a severe beating from ABAs Magan Maka with a score of 17-6. Maka dominated Stephenson throughout with a shutout in the 3rd round. Kieran Foley and Kevin Meak were withdrawn from the contest through injury.
Waikato Champs, Te Aroha Raceway
12th September, 2009With only two fights under his belt in three years and weighing in 3kgs lighter than his adversary, Burmese born Aung Sander faced NZ No1. Light welter weight champion Nuka Gemmell in the semi final in bout 5 of the tournament. Sanda, still shaking off ringrust fought exceedingly well to be ahead after Rd2 outscoring Gemmell with speed and never forgotten ringcraft, the 3rd and final round however proved the fitness and conditioning of current No1 Gemmell who had just completed a stint at the Canberra Institute of Sport, winning the fight by split decision. A great comeback fight from Sanda who will now have his sights on improving his fight stamina in thethree weeks until the National Champs in Rotorua.
The Shamrock Assn team to the National Champs is Kieran Foley - Welterweight 69kgs Elite Aung Sanda - LightWelter 64kgs Elite Sovantha Meak - 57kgs Elite Kevin Meak - 52kgs Cadet
The Showdown
2nd August, 2009Seven valiant men and one woman turned out in the wee hours of Thursday morning July30 to don mouthguards, headgear and boxing gloves to enter the ring and settle the dispute of who is the greatest gladiator and fistic champion in the Auckland offices of Tip Top Ice-cream Company. The showdown after twelve weeks of an early morning training stint and crash course at the Shamrock Boxing Assn Gym in Pilkington Rd, Panmure.
The completed training routines were done in good natured, team spirit comradery culminating in a box off in the final session. The original plan was to create an atmosphere where they come together as a team bonding in fitness training and stimulated by a one on one fun rivalry boxing programme.
As team liaison officer and Ceo John Martin described it ˇ°it was excellent in team building morale, we all enjoyed it so much and it has played a great bonding effect with us all, we all get on so very well and this venture has helped tremendously. Going through the programme we were a little concerned at the outcome of the finals session, but this proved groundless as our fears were allayed by excellent comradery and the control of the gym coaches.ˇ±
ˇ°Thanks to a renewed sense of wellbeing and gaining fitness coupled with some weight loss and the pleasure of being together as a team in the gym plus on the job and after hours, we decided to build our numbers back up to twelve and take a break for a couple of weeks before starting again with a six weeks programme on improving our skills and building on conditioning and fitness. Thanks to Ron and Vasco for organizing the programme, we really look forward to continuing.
Tip Top's final showdown
29th July, 2009The dark hours of Thursday morning July30 will see the final 10 members of the 12 originals get out of their beds and take a hot drink before heading down to the Shamrock Boxing Gym to do battle with their work colleagues for bragging rights at the office. These grimfaced enthusiasts having spent nine grueling weeks in fitness and conditioning training and honing their skills in the fine art of self defense have reached the pinnacle of their intentions, change of lifestyle, getting fit, and taking part in a challenging pastime never before ventured.
The past twelve weeks has been a time of rising early and adhering to strict discipline before departing for home again to shower have breakfast and turnup for work where the banter continuesˇ. The ten grand finalists nine men and one woman will duke it out in pairs while the rest look on to this the close of a goodhearted team building venture where they have brought their challenging lifestyle change to fruition in the sense of wellbeing and comradeship in jocular good natured rivalry..
The team will be set to renew their contract with Shamrock after a well earned two weeks downtime.
Team events at the Shamrock
10th July, 2009Office staff at TipTop Icecream have been discovering the other side of life at Shamrock gym early morning sessions for the past nine weeks. The nine week 6AM start twice a week just completed is part of a twelve week fitness and skills programme set to enhance fitness and explore the rudiments of a pastime not ever before contemplated by this enthusiastic twelve man squad, (two women). The participants come from homes all over Auckland and one man leaving home at 5AM from half way further up the Island to get there on time. The comradery and bonding as a team has been paramount and some members of the quad are finding abilities in the sport of boxing they never knew they had and as one member said "its getting to know yourself".
Even though a twelve week two day one hour programme can only at best be seen as a crash course in the noble art of self defence, these aspiring contenders are preparing for a light hearted box-off at the end of it in three weeks and are eyeing their prospective challenges. Three weeks to go, and it is fun time at the Shamrock with a fitter, happier, brighter and much more aligned and bonded team from the TipTop office staff.
New SBA President
16th June, 2009Mr Jim Johnstone was voted unanimously as SBA President on Saturday June13 at the SBA Annual General Meeting after past president Ron Foley stepped down after two years at the post. Jim is managing director of TDM (Truck Diesel and Marine).
Super Heavyweights and the pecking order!
11th May, 2009The ABA Stadium on Friday May8 witnessed the coming together of current Shamrock super heavyweight Afa Tatupu and former Shamrock super Eric Fuimanono (now at Aiga Gym in Mangere) square up for what promised to be a heavy punch fest of two big men vying for honors to represent their division as top dog at the upcoming North Island Golden Gloves Championships at Taupo.
They approached each other cautiously at the bell, Tatupu deciding to attack 1st tagging Fuimanono with a solid left-hook, the hook proved convincing and opened the way for Tatupu to get a strong combination off and score an 8 count on his opponent inside the 1st minute of the round, ref Paul McSharry recommenced the fight with Fuimanono throwing a big right missing the target but dislocating his shoulder and rendering him unable to continue resulting in the fight being awarded to Afa Tatupu on merit of the 8 count scored earlier. A good and impressive start by Tatupu in the fight and unfortunate for Fuimanono who has suffered setbacks with his shoulder on other occasions. Afa, having won his 5th fight by 1st round stoppage (co-incidental) now proceeds to fight at the Golden Gloves at Taupo on May23.
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Boxing On
60kgs FirePower
1st March, 2010Aung Sanda and Team travelled to Wellsford Sat, Feb27 to fullfill an engagement to fight Teranga Brown in a 4x2mins contest. The tough Burmese lightweight was keen to get on with it to get much needed ringtime since he was cheated at the 2009 National Championships where he lost on a double countback and judges preferance after being ahead on the scorecards most of the bout. Sanda caught Brown with a devastating left body rip and sent him to the canvas about 45 seconds of round one where he stayed for some three minutes. Hopefully Aung Sanda can hold his momentum and make waves in 2010.
Simona Lokeni gave away 12Kgs in the heavyweight division to fight a novice contest with Dave Wilkins over a 3x1-1/2 rounds also at Wellsford. It was a great tussle with the two big boys and despite the holding and clinching by both partys it was an interesting fightback for Lokeni who spends most of his time training for rugby away from the gym. He finally succumbed to Browns extra height and weight, but only lost on a split decision. Lets forget about rugby and get this boy to the gym.
Boys were cornered by Ron Foley and Jim Johnstone.
Pro Debut
28th January, 2010Afa Tatupu will have his first Professional fight at Mt Wellington Netball Stadium on February 26. The Samoan Sadist will fight Wests John Argall in a four round bout. Afa has an amateur record of six fights losing only one by injury, winning the rest by way of KO in the first round. Get to the stadium and support Afa in the beginning of his pugilistic pro career. Tickets at Shamrock gymnasium.
Merry Christmas from Shamrock
11th December, 2009Gym closed for General Sessions from Dec 23 to Jan 5. Boxfit will begin again on January11
Lets get together
19th November, 2009End of year 'get together BBQ' celebrating Boxfit and General Boxing activities. Drinks and bbq meat provided by the club. Members are urged to bring a small plate finger food eg: salad, veges, small cakes etc; (and of course their families). ON Sunday Dec 6th at 3pm at 'the gym'All welcome.
Hope this time and date suits most of you and we see you there.
North Island Novice Championships Citizens Club
Rotorua, 5th September, 2009Kevin Meak found that he had no opponent in his weight division and so was stepped up to the bantamweight class of 54kgs to get a fight at the championships. Only having 3 fights under his belt coming into the tournament and weighing in at 51kgs Kevin was pitted against P McCaffrey of Hamilton. McCaffrey proved competitive until caught with hooks and crosses from the bobbing and weaving Cambodian not long into the fight. Kevin dominated until stopping McCaffrey early in the 3rd. Next up 4 hours later was A Mitchell from Te Aroha, Kevin stuck to gameplan and boxed cautiously in Rd1 hurting Mitchell enroute with a knockdown via lefthook. The end for Michell came swiftly in the 2nd Rd when Kevin finished proceedings with a flurry of straight punches. Brother Sovantha failed to secure a bout in either division. The team of 4 will proceed to the Waikato Championships at Te Aroha on Sep12. Aung Sanda, Sovantha Meak, Kevin Meak and Daena Stephenson.
Lance Revills Tourney Sat Aug29 Pakuranga Rugby Club
30th August, 2009Kevin Meak in again for the Shamrock and weighing in at only 51kgs brought about a shock result when he convincingly destroyed Andrew Luii in a three round amateur contest. Meak applied pressure throughout to shut down any attempts Luii made to control the fight at range. Luii had little chance to set up his fine boxing skills and was adequately shut down. The pocket rocket dynamo will be back in action this Saturday at the North Island novice Championships in Rotorua. Accompanying him will be his brother Sovantha and female star Daena Stephenson.
Cosmopolitan Club, Pukekohe
15th August, 2009In his 2nd fight back after 3years layoff and in a rematch from a bout in TeAwamutu on June20, Shamrock senior boxer Aung Sanda showed his mettle when he convincingly beat Kerry Bennett from the East Coast on unanimous decision. Sanda rocked Bennett in the 2nd with body shots. Shamrock also cornered John McKays Pukekohe girl Katie Thompson when she convincingly beat South Island novice senior Kayla Munday also on a unanimous points decision..Thompson was just too strong for the mainlander.
Young Contenders - TKO Events
Bay Park Stadium, Mt Maunganui
8th, August, 2009
Mighty midget Shamrock young contender Kevin Meak gave away 6fights and 5kgs to dismantle Tom Herangi from the Eastcoast to win his 2nd fight and stop the older boy in round 3. The tough Cambodian Contender eased into the fight in Rd1, gained control in Rd2 before coming with the business in Rd3. Shamrock female star Daena Stephenson was all business when she destroyed Ash Tetemo also from Eastcoast in the 1st minute of the Rd1. This was Daena's 10th bout which heralds her entry into the open of the female youth division.
Whangarei July25
27th July, 2009Sovantha Meak returning after a 3 year layoff due to a rare kidney problem lost narrowly in his 1st fight back at Kensington Stadium Whangarei. Working hard to get back the form that saw him ring great wins over Australian Perry Tapau in November 2005, Sovantha gave away 2kgs to fight kickboxer C. Gorteza of Albany. Vasco Kovacevic and Kieran Foley were the corner team.