Yeah, it's good to talk about it but perhaps in this international forum it's best not to bag it too much. Things could definitely have been run better from a promoters perspective. The "side shows" could have been left out as well.

Also, it seems that it is not really a very good indication of who is the best Amatuer at all. So how can it be given any credit as being the "nationals"? Not many of the winners could seriously be called the best at that weight. Not their fault at all but it's true.

On the other hand, it's only the 3rd year it's been run so it's still growing.

A few suggestions.

Drawn decisions: They suck at the best of time. You can't have a draw in the nationals but making the ref decide the winner seemed a bit off. Go an extra round I reckon. Then see which fighter really wants it more.

Fighters Pools: OK, when a weight division contains 3 fighters, giving one of them a bye is not fair. Full stop. Take the 2 best and let them fight it out. Saturday saw the title go to the gent who got a bye in the first round and didnt even have to fight the 2nd round as both of the other guys were too damaged. Granted, he was the best fighter in the divison but who wants to win a "title" that way?

Weight Divisons: There was some confusion of what the weight limits were. I wasn't alone in thinking that the Jnr Middle weight limit was 69.8kg, not 71. Granted it's only 1200grams but if you trained your guts out to make the weight then found out you didnt need to starve yourself for the last day then you would be pretty pissed too!

It was pretty sad in the weekend but hopefully we can learn from it and develop and legit national tournament where the best from each weight divison can fight each other.


Anyways, some decisions I recall.

Rowan Sampson beat Pumipi Ngaranoa
I think that was bantamweight in the junior mens.

Jason Watene beat Nop
I think that was Senior Mens, Junior Welterweight.

Gordon Pye beat a gentleman who's name escapes me.
That was senior mens Jnr middlweight.

Charles August won the Snr Mens Light heavyweight by default.

Dan Stirling won the snr Mens Cruiserweight.

Keri K won the snr mens Super heavyweight.

Apologies if any of those are incorrect and if I've spelt any names wrong. Congratulations to the fighters.