Former WBO world super middleweight champion Maselino Masoe is now training John Parker ahead of his fight tonight against Fiji cruiserweight champion Alivereti Kauyaca in Hamilton, New Zealand.
This matchup is for the IBF Pan Pacific cruiserweight title, and the victorious fighter will earn a chance to enter the top 15 of the IBF rankings.
For Parker, this fight marks not only his first international bout but also his first major regional title shot, which is quite rare in New Zealand, outside the typical events organized by Dean Lonergan and Duco Events.
The IBF Pan Pacific title holds significant importance in New Zealand’s boxing history, with several notable champions including Shane Cameron, Jimmy Thunder, Kali Meehan, Maselino Masoe, Sean Sullivan, and more recently, Andrei Mikhailovich.
Parker is recognized as the younger brother of fourth-ranked world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, and he is determined to carve out his own identity in the sport and move beyond his brother’s shadow.
Kauyaca has gained recognition in Fiji, performing well in domestic fights and making strides in international rankings, even breaking into the top 100 on Boxrec.
His journey, however, has seen some controversy. Kauyaca recently defended his title against veteran Joseph Kwadjo, winning by unanimous decision, but faced allegations of illegal hand wraps containing cement plaster, which led to him being stripped of the national title. Despite this, his victory was upheld, and later, it was decreed that he could retain the title.
Since then, Kauyaca has relocated to New Zealand and signed a one-year contract with CTP Boxing Promotions, led by Craig Thomson.