Former WBO super middleweight champion Maselino Masoe is now coaching John Parker for his fight against Fiji’s cruiserweight champion Alivereti Kauyaca, taking place tonight in Hamilton, New Zealand. This match is for the IBF Pan Pacific cruiserweight title, and the victor will have an opportunity to enter the top 15 of the IBF rankings.
This bout marks Parker’s first international appearance and his debut for a major regional title, a significant event given that such opportunities are rare in New Zealand, typically dominated by promotions like those run by Dean Lonergan and Duco Events.
The IBF Pan Pacific title holds considerable prestige in New Zealand boxing history, with many notable champions having held the belt, including Shane Cameron, Jimmy Thunder, Kali Meehan, Maselino Masoe, Sean Sullivan, and more recently, Andrei Mikhailovich.
Parker, the younger brother of fourth-ranked heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, is eager to forge his own path and establish his identity in the boxing world separate from his brother’s legacy.
Kauyaca has built a strong reputation in Fiji, excelling in domestic bouts and making strides in international rankings, reaching the top 100 on Boxrec. His recent title defense against veteran Joseph Kwadjo ended in a unanimous decision victory, but he faced controversy when he was stripped of his national title due to allegations regarding illegal hand wraps containing cement plaster. Despite the title being stripped, the win remained valid.
However, the situation has changed, and Kauyaca has now been allowed to retain his title. He has since relocated to New Zealand and signed a 12-month contract with CTP Boxing Promotions, led by Craig Thomson.