All the razzmatazz associated with big time boxing hits the Bay of Plenty next Saturday when a boxing extravaganza is staged at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre in Tauranga.
Headlining the main event is one of the real characters of world heavyweight boxing. American Indian, Chauncy Welliver, will square off against Auckland hard man, Daniel Tai, for the WBO Asia-Pacific and NZ National Heavyweight belts.

A big night of boxing comes to Tauranga on Saturday.

This event will settle considerable bad blood between the pair, since Tai lost to Welliver, by way of disqualification two years ago. With both sides sure to be desperate for victory, the bout is unlikely to go the distance, in what could turn out to be a bloodbath.
Welliver, who fights by the nickname of the 'Fat Dorky White Boy' has attracted a legion of staunch fans, both in New Zealand and the United States.
The winner of a bronze medal at the 1999 USA Amateur Championships, the charismatic fighter has amassed a record of 41-5-5 in 10 years of professional boxing.
While Daniel Tai has campaigned in Australia and New Zealand, he has been in the ring with some of the best. The former kickboxing champion met World Champion Danny Green early in the Australian boxers' career.

The main support bout features the New Zealand representative on the recent Australian Contender series, shown on Sky TV. Daniel McKinnon, who mixes his bouts in New Zealand with fights in Australia, will meet Joshua Tai at the super-middle weight limit.

Two unbeaten Samoan boxers, who bring unbeaten records to the ring, should thrill the expected sell-out crowd. Light Heavyweight Warren Fuiava will bring a 7-0 record to his contest with Auckland pugilist Scott Taliauli. The other Samoan in action is knockout specialist Vaitele Soi, who has been compared to an early David Tua.

There will be plenty of local support for two Bay of Plenty fighters making their professional debuts. Tauranga's Gunnar Jackson, who has had an illustrious amateur career, will meet former New Zealand amateur champion Armagh Sykes, from Rotorua.

The most entertaining bout on the seven fight pro card should be the Trans Tasman women's clash between Erin McGowan and Christina Tai. The Australian with a 12-0 record has her sights firmly on a WBO Women's World Featherweight Title fight in the near future.

The event, which is to be screened on Maori Television, will also see the return of Winston Peters to Tauranga. Australian Idol winner Stan Walker is also to sing at the event.