Former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) super middleweight champion Maselino Masoe is now training John Parker for a fight tonight against Fiji’s cruiserweight champion Alivereti Kauyaca in Hamilton, New Zealand. This match is for the IBF (International Boxing Federation) Pan Pacific cruiserweight title, and the winner will have an opportunity to break into the top 15 of the IBF rankings.
This bout marks Parker’s first international appearance and his first chance to compete for a major regional title, which is not commonly held in New Zealand outside the typical events organized by Dean Lonergan and Duco Events. The IBF Pan Pacific title is a prestigious accolade in New Zealand, with numerous notable boxers among its former titleholders, including Shane Cameron, Jimmy Thunder, Kali Meehan, Maselino Masoe, Sean Sullivan, and more recently, Andrei Mikhailovich.
Parker, the younger brother of fourth-ranked world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, seeks to carve his own identity in the boxing world, stepping out from under the shadow of his celebrated sibling. Meanwhile, Kauyaca has established a reputation in Fiji, performing strongly in domestic matches and climbing the international rankings to reach the top 100 on Boxrec.
Despite his successes, Kauyaca’s journey has not been without controversy. He recently defended his title against veteran Joseph Kwadjo, winning by unanimous decision but was initially stripped of the national title due to allegations of using illegal hand wraps containing cement plaster. Nonetheless, he retained his win by unanimous decision, and the ruling has since been reversed, allowing him to keep his title.
Kauyaca has since relocated to New Zealand and signed a 12-month contract with CTP Boxing Promotions, led by Craig Thomson.