Peach Boxing's New Blood Set To Take Centre Stage

Zain Adams and Amato Mataika aim to continue their undefeated streaks when they step into the ring in Auckland on Friday night.

Two of Aotearoa's most exciting prospects return to the ring this Friday Sept 8 ,when Peach Boxing's New Blood takes place inside Auckland's ABA Stadium.

Flyweight Zain Adams and heavyweight Amato Mataika were last in action two weeks ago when they featured on the undercard of stablemate Mea Motu's successful defense of her IBO Super Bantamweight crown.

Mataika opened the televised card with a unanimous decision win over debutant Joseph Saumoa Tufuga, with Adams recording the same result over veteran Filipino fighter Enrique Magsalin.

This week's show sees Mataika taking on Fiji's Jonasa Kavika, with Adam's squaring off against Kavika's compatriot Ritesh Gaunder. Kavika's most recent outing was against Kiki Toa Leutele, and he will provide Mataika with a soild step up in the competition.

When asked about the quick turnaround between bouts following his win over Tufuga, the hard-hitting Tongan-born expressed his belief that the best way to learn and improve is by trading leather in the squared circle underneath the bright lights.

"I think that's the only way you can practice it, really, is in the ring. So, yeah, we're going to look back at this fight and hopefully make some improvements for the next one, "Mataika explained.

Regarding sparring, Mataika has been doing rounds with his Peach Boxing teammate Leutele and is relishing the opportunity to go head-to-head with one of Australasia's most dynamic heavyweights.

"I get amazing work with Kiki, and hopefully I give the same back. In Peach Boxing gym, it is hard training, even when it comes to sparring. So yeah, I'm grateful to have guys like that in the gym, and he's doing great things as well."

Mataika's relationship with trainer Isaac Peach is still in its developmental stages. Still, Peach is confident that with time and self-belief, Mataika will start to make his presence felt in the heavyweight division.

" I was happy to get Matt [Amato]in front of a crowd. He's a big, strong heavyweight. We got a lot of work to do, but he got the win, and it's part of his growth, " Peach explained.

"I'm determined to make Matt [Amato] a good heavyweight. This country needs a good heavyweight. He's big. He's got a good skill set," he added.

Peach was also full of praise for Adam's win over Magsalin, especially at his fighter’s ability to switch up the gameplan early in the bout.

"He listened to the game plan; we changed the game plan instantly, and you see, he sat on the inside, the whole fight. You think, 'Why the fuck would you do that?'. He [ Adams] is twice as tall, but he had to because that guy [Magsalin] was dangerous from the outside. So we cut that away, and Zane stuck to it. For a fighter to be in that much trouble, be dropped like that, and be able to follow a game plan, stick to something, and grind out a win is crazy.

"[Magsalin] has had nine wins, four losses, never been stopped fought a guy that's gone for the world title, and Zane's done that in this third fight [pro fight] and tenth fight in total fight in his life is ridiculous."

Adams found himself momentarily on the canvas in the opening round of his contest with Magsalin, but he took the flash knockdown in his stride, showing a poise more commonly associated with veteran fighters.

"There was no doubt, no concern. It was just you get knocked down; you just get back up. Simple as that. You train hard for hard fights and hard moments. You don't do it for the easy ones, " Adams said.

"So, as soon as I got knocked down, I don't think I had any hesitation. My legs were good. I just focused on my breathing, listened to my coach and just need to do the job."

Adams will come into the fight as favourite against Gaunder, but the Fijian will be no walkover. He went the distance with Andres Campos, who fought for the IBF flyweight title in 2023, and four of Gaunder's five wins have come via way of stoppage.

The bout represents another opportunity for Adams to sharpen his skillset before heading to North America for an amateur camp. The 2024 Paris Olympics are in his sights, but he will also be stepping into the ring again as a pro before the year ends.

It is an exciting time for Adams, Mataika and the Peach Boxing team. David Light, Andrei Mikhailovich, Jerome Pampellone and Mea Motu have put the West Auckland gym on the map, and the two headline fighters this Friday have their chance to help continue building the gym's legacy.

Tickets for Peach Boxing’s New Blood can be purchased at the gyms website.