Maselino Masoe, a former World Boxing Organisation super middleweight champion, is now training John Parker for his upcoming fight against Fiji cruiserweight champion Alivereti Kauyaca in Hamilton, New Zealand. This bout is for the IBF Pan Pacific cruiserweight title, with the winner expected to enter the top 15 of the IBF rankings.
This matchup marks Parker’s first international contest and his first chance at a major regional title, a significant event in New Zealand’s boxing scene, typically dominated by promotions from Dean Lonergan and Duco Events. The IBF Pan Pacific title holds substantial prestige in New Zealand, with many celebrated boxers having held it, including Shane Cameron, Jimmy Thunder, Kali Meehan, Maselino Masoe himself, Sean Sullivan, and more recently, Andrei Mikhailovich.
Parker is recognized as the younger brother of Joseph Parker, who is currently ranked fourth in the heavyweight division. He is determined to carve out his own identity in the boxing world and move beyond his brother’s legacy.
Kauyaca has established himself in Fiji, performing well domestically and climbing the international rankings, reaching the top 100 on Boxrec. However, his path has not been without controversy. He recently defended his title against veteran Joseph Kwadjo, winning by unanimous decision, but faced accusations of using illegal hand wraps containing cement plaster, which initially led to him being stripped of the national title. Despite these allegations, he retained the victory. Recently, a decision allowed him to regain possession of the title.
Kauyaca has since relocated to New Zealand and signed a 12-month contract with CTP Boxing Promotions, led by Craig Thomson.