Former WBO super middleweight champion Maselino Masoe is training John Parker for his fight against Fiji’s cruiserweight champion Alivereti Kauyaca tonight in Hamilton, New Zealand. This matchup is for the IBF Pan Pacific cruiserweight title, and the victor will achieve a place in the top 15 of the IBF rankings.
This fight marks a significant milestone for Parker, as it is not only his first international bout but also his first major regional title opportunity, which is quite rare in New Zealand outside the typical events organized by Dean Lonergan and Duco Events.
The IBF Pan Pacific title holds considerable prestige in New Zealand, with many boxing legends such as Shane Cameron, Jimmy Thunder, Kali Meehan, Maselino Masoe, Sean Sullivan, and more recently, Andrei Mikhailovich having held it.
John Parker, who is the younger brother of world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, is eager to carve out his own identity in the sport and step out of his brother’s shadow.
Alivereti Kauyaca has established himself in Fiji, excelling in domestic matches and rising through international rankings to reach the top 100 on Boxrec. However, his journey has encountered controversy; he recently defended his title against veteran Joseph Kwadjo and won by unanimous decision, but faced accusations regarding the legality of his hand wraps, resulting in him being stripped of his national title. Despite this, the decision to strip him was later reversed, allowing him to keep the title.
Kauyaca has since relocated to New Zealand and signed a 12-month contract with CTP Boxing Promotions, led by Craig Thomson.