Mundine & BOXA taking boxing for yet another ride in NZ.

Who could blame Walshaw for his critisism of yet another BOXA farce:


Sonny Bill v lard of the ring

by Nick Walshaw - The Daily Telegraph - June 2nd 2011


SO this is what happens when Sonny Bill Williams demands tougher opponents, eh?

When one of the greatest athletes on the planet - a fighter ridiculously compared to Muhammad Ali - insists his management scour the heavyweight division for more credible rivals.

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....Lard of The Ring - Alipate Liava.


They go dig up Alipate Liava'a ... a Tongan gospel singer who is 18 years older, 15kg heavier and currently on a losing streak stretching seven straight bouts.For those fight fans who lose interest when rankings dip outside the top 400, Liava'a is the man challenging Williams on a televised card in New Zealand on Sunday.

A boxer who, despite boasting some resemblance to fellow Island heavyweight David Tua, enjoys a win rate to rival poker machines.

MUNDINE PLANNING TO TAKE US FOR A RIDE - AGAIN

Honestly, serious fight fans should look away now.

Because according to Boxrec, Liava'a has not won a heavyweight clash in three years. He was KO'd last start by Lucas "Big Daddy" Browne. Before that, losing to Big Bob Mirovic on points.

His most recent success coming way back in July, 2008 ... against a Tongan debutant who has not stepped into the ring since.

About the only positive to come out of this challenge is Williams' decision to gift his entire $75,000 purse to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. Good on him.

Now, what about the rest of us follow suit? Come on.

Take the 40 bucks Main Event is demanding for this card and, instead, donate it to the Salvos or Beyond Blue. Maybe buy some books for your local Children's Ward.

Even post it to Williams' charity across the ditch.

Certainly this is what Team Mundine deserve.

For us fight fans to immerse ourselves in the same charitable spirit that has seen them match Williams with a chubby choirboy who, at 43, could be taking his own Closer Walk With Thee come Sunday.

Which isn't to suggest Williams, with just three bouts to his credit, should be forced to fight champions. Far from it.

But the Crusaders superstar needs to understand that, just like mate Choc Mundine, he has the power to do great things for boxing. To bring it from the results column and on to the back page.

Yet Williams can also make a joke of the sport too.

This fella who Team Mundine have likened to Ali.

A chiselled Adonis who, after dispatching Hamburgler look-a-like Ryan Hogan last June, told everyone he wanted real fights. Real opponents.

Sadly, Liava'a is not one of them. Worse, their bout just happens to be headlining a hyped card where pay-per-view numbers have absolutely no bearing on the money raised for charity.

Which is why those two 20s should both go to the Salvos.

 

Sad for boxing when they are relying almost entirely on the rugby sideshow element to sell tickets to this diabolical card.

By the way, they're asking $49.95 Australian for it over here Shark .

 

Oh, that makes it worth $50 then .

 

...and boxing fans will avoid it like the plague.