‘Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’: Veteran boxer to inspire men of all ages at Fight Night

Boxing fans on the island are eagerly awaiting the Cook Islands Boxing Association (CIBA) Future Champions Night event at the Tupapa Tennis Pavilion this Friday night at 6pm.

More than 20 amateur boxers from Ngatangiia/Matavera Boxing Club, Waltingo Boxing Club (Kent Hall) and Rising Stars Boxing Club (Ruatonga) will showcase their skills and stamina in a series of championship fights and individual clashes.

Cook Islands Boxing Association vice-president Terry Langi said the event was primarily about strengthening the island’s boxing clubs and providing them with much-needed resources.

“We want to be proactive and encourage and support our grassroots clubs,” Ranji said.

The first exhibition match will be between “two tough guys in their 50s who are dedicated to promoting men’s health,” showcasing their skills and energy to inspire men to get off the couch and get moving.

Neil Savage, 58, who is full of energy and ready to “sting like a bee,” will step into the ring as “Nelly Shagga Savage” to face off against Shaun Christian, 52, who “floats like a butterfly,” and who will fight under his own yet-to-be-announced fight name to inspire others to stay strong and healthy.

Savage said they wanted to highlight the importance of men’s health.

“Our mission is to promote the health and well-being of older men, showing that staying active and taking care of your health doesn’t stop at any age,” he said.

“We are living proof that it’s never too late to focus on your health.

“We want to encourage men of all ages to take charge of their own mental and physical health and prove to the younger generation that there are no excuses.”

Tickets are available at the TEM store in Tupapa. Adults are $10, children are $5, and children under five are free.

For more information, please call Terry Rangi on 54299 or Liz Schuster on 79051.