Former WBO super middleweight champion Maselino Masoe is now training John Parker for his fight against Alivereti Kauyaca, the Fijian cruiserweight champion, taking place tonight in Hamilton, New Zealand. The bout is for the IBF Pan Pacific cruiserweight title, with the winner earning a spot in the top 15 of the IBF rankings.
This match marks Parker’s first international fight and his inaugural bid for a major regional title, a notable achievement in New Zealand boxing, which often sees events organized by Dean Lonergan and Duco Events. The IBF Pan Pacific title holds significance in New Zealand boxing history, with icons such as Shane Cameron, Jimmy Thunder, Kali Meehan, Maselino Masoe, Sean Sullivan, and more recently, Andrei Mikhailovich, having claimed it.
John Parker is recognized as the younger brother of fourth-ranked world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and strives to establish his own identity in the sport.
Alivereti Kauyaca has gained a reputation in Fiji, making strides in the domestic scene and advancing in international rankings, even reaching the top 100 on Boxrec. Recently, Kauyaca defended his title against veteran Joseph Kwadjo, winning by unanimous decision. However, controversy arose when he was stripped of the national title due to allegations of using illegal hand wraps containing cement plaster. Despite the title being stripped, the unanimous decision victory was upheld initially, but the situation has since changed, allowing Kauyaca to retain the title.
Following this, Kauyaca has relocated to New Zealand and signed a one-year contract with CTP Boxing Promotions, led by Craig Thomson.