Former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) super middleweight champion Maselino Masoe is training John Parker for his fight tonight against Fiji cruiserweight champion Alivereti Kauyaca in Hamilton, New Zealand. This bout is for the IBF (International Boxing Federation) Pan Pacific cruiserweight title, with the winner gaining an opportunity to enter the top 15 of the IBF rankings.
This will mark Parker’s first international fight and his initial shot at a major regional title, which is a rare occurrence in New Zealand beyond the typical events organized by Dean Lonergan and Duco Events. The IBF Pan Pacific title carries considerable prestige in New Zealand, having been held by renowned boxers such as Shane Cameron, Jimmy Thunder, Kali Meehan, Maselino Masoe, Sean Sullivan, and, more recently, Andrei Mikhailovich.
Parker, who is the younger brother of fourth-ranked world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, is determined to carve out his own identity in the boxing world and step out of his brother’s shadow. Kauyaca has also made a name for himself in Fiji, performing well domestically and climbing the international rankings to break into the top 100 on Boxrec.
His journey has not been without controversy. Kauyaca recently defended his title against veteran boxer Joseph Kwadjo, winning by unanimous decision, but faced accusations of illegal hand wraps containing cement plaster, which led to him being stripped of the national title. Despite this, the outcome of the fight remained unchanged, and he has since been permitted to retain the title.
After resolving these issues, Kauyaca has relocated to New Zealand and signed a 12-month contract with CTP Boxing Promotions, led by Craig Thomson.