Brian Amatruda – “Fans should expect action from the first round”
THE Australian heavyweight scene is facing a resurgence. With Alex Leapai fighting for the undisputed heavyweight championship against Wladimir Klitschko next month, alongside Lucas Browne – who attempts to break Australia’s 122 year drought – by gaining the coveted Commonwealth heavyweight title, it’s safe to say Australian boxing is in a terrific place.
This Thursday night, yet another first is making it’s way into the Australian boxing scene, with leading domestic promoter Brian Amatruda unveiling the first edition of ‘Last Man Standing’, an eight-man heavyweight knockout competition, that pits eight big-punching heavyweights against each other – all in one night.
The card, which will be hosted in front of another sold-to-capacity crowd at The Melbourne Pavilion, will air live nationally on FOX Sports, in a night that should provide the viewing audience with a unique experience in itself.
Promoter Brian Amatruda spoke exclusively with Aus-Boxing about the concept, which is modelled on Matchroom Sports ‘Prizefighter’ series in the UK.
“The competition is called ‘Last Man Standing’ – it’s based on the hugely successful Prizefighter series. Victoria is the only state in Australia where this competition is legal, as it means the fighter fights three times in one night although they won’t breach the twelve rounds limit. New Zealand is now also running the same concept with an eight-man tournament called the ‘Super 8’, so I think this type of action, which gives the fighter’s no time to feel each other out will catch on.”
“There will be the a second show, potentially planned for July or August where we will be bringing in international fighters with the same concept.”
The eight-man lineup boasts an interesting mix of fighters, with budding prospects set to mix it up with veterans and a few wildcards in between. From an outsider’s perspective, former OPBF heavyweight titlist Nathan Briggs appears to be the favourite. However, names such as Royce Sio, famously known for his one-round war with Solomon Haumono and MMA convert Tai Tuivasa are others that many are expecting to make noise on the night. Former Australian heavyweight champion Michael Kirby also continues his well-awaited comeback in the series.
While the talk is primarily centred around the heavyweights, a regional title fight will be showcased between the semi-final and final of ‘Last Man Standing’. Former IBF lightweight title challenger Lenny Zappavigna will hope to impress in his return to the light welterweight division when he faces Japanese live-wire Shuhei Tsuchiya for the IBF Pan Pacific light welterweight title, or more importantly a chance to enter the bodies top-fifteen world ratings.
“Lenny Zappavigna is not the main-event, but we need a fight in between the semi-main and the main for the tournament, so we put Lenny in as he is all-action,” explained Amatruda.
“The Japanese opponent (Shuhei Tsuchiya) is a stand-up puncher with thirteen knockouts from fifteen fights and that’s the type of fighter Lenny needs, a brawler not a slick moving fighter. We are backing Lenny all the way to a world title and he will fight an eliminator providing he wins. Hopefully, we hope to bring a world title fight featuring Lenny to Melbourne.”
The concept, which is yet to make it’s debut – already appears to be a success – with tickets already sold out before the line-up was even announced. With that said, Amatruda is reluctant to confirm if the competition will make it’s way down towards the lower weight divisions.
“At this stage, we will do the heavyweights. But in the future if we can get enough fighters from other divisions then we will consider it – but everyone loves heavyweight fights.”
The concept will have the fighters partake in fights of three-minute rounds, with the winner progressing through to the next stage – while the loser is eliminated.
“Fans should expect action from the first round. The concept is if it’s a draw after three rounds, then a sudden-victory style fourth round is fought. If it’s still a draw then the winner of the first round is the winner so, they all need to win the first round. There are so many huge guys with punching power, so it will be the best action seen on FOX Sports for many years.”
“The prize money is bigger than any of these fighters would get under normal circumstances with the lure of a six-figure pay day in the next series, so the opportunity is there for the fighter’s to impress.”
Photo: Louie Abigail/Photography by Rockfingrz