Former NZ Kiwis international Paul Whatuira has earned a comprehensive unanimous decision win over former All Blacks showman Carlos Spencer in the return of the Fight for Life charity boxing event at Auckland's Eventfinda Stadium.
The pair were promoted to the headline act, after All Blacks icon Keven Mealamu was forced to withdraw from his bout against Wairangi Koopu, when a routine medical check revealed an irregular heartbeat.
Whatuira exploded out of the gate with an early flurry to leave Spencer shellshocked and quickly answering a standing eight count.
The Blues great couldn't reel back the momentum against Whatuira, as the former NZ Warriors and Wests Tigers back was awarded a straightforward points victory.
In the co-main event, Andrei Mikhailovich had his hand raised in a tightly contested unanimous decision win against Francis Waitai.
Fresh from top-15 IBF and WBO rankings, Mikhailovich made a convincing start, before Thames-product Waitai pulled back the momentum through the latter half of a highly technical, tactical contest.
'The Renegade' clearly wasn't pleased with his performance, cutting his post-fight interview short to "go and get his telling off", while Waitai rued a decision he thought should have gone his way.
While Mikhailovich looked sharp in spurts, the performance lacked the consistency needed to make the showstopping names across the Tasman - including Issac Hardman - sit up and take notice.
Former All Black Liam Messam used his experience and boxing acumen to claim a comfortable unanimous decision over Ex-Warriors powerhouse James Gavet, extending his undefeated record to 4-0.
In the first professional fight of the card, Jerome Pampellone stamped his world title pedigree with a sixth-round TKO of Joshua Francis.
'The Panther' was in complete control, using his lightning hand speed to dictate terms, before dropping Francis with a thunderous left hook - a punch he terrorised 'Chucky' with all fight.
Francis answered the eight count, but was quickly swarmed, as Pampellone sent a statement across the Tasman to Aussie star Jai Opetaia for a potential marquee cruiserweight clash.
Crosscode international Honey Hireme-Smiler was far too strong for overmatched opponent Tegan Yorwarth, dropping the radio DJ early with a brutal jab, before unloading a flurry of bombs that led to a white towel for a first-round TKO.
In the opening fight of the night, Jay Reeve outlasted Tammy Davis to win a unanimous decision in the battle of radio and TV personalities.
