Kuranui College will host a kickboxing event on April 1, with the money raised helping cyclone victims.
Mana FC6 – E Tu Wairarapa is the brain-child of Quentin Parr, who runs SMAC Gym in Featherston with his wife, Victoria, also known as Lady SMAC.
Mana FC is a regular show held “for our community and our kids”, said Victoria.
When Cyclone Gabrielle ripped through the East Coast and Hawke’s Bay in February, Quentin saw an opportunity for their next event to “go bigger”.
Mana FC6 – E Tu Wairarapa kicks off at 2pm with a preliminary event showcasing youth and novices.
The main “black tie” event starts at 6pm with professional bouts featuring current champions and rising stars.
One of those rising stars is Wairarapa’s Sarah Linton.
Already a champion barefoot water-skier, Linton took up kickboxing under the guidance of Lady SMAC in August 2019, and had her first competitive fight in December 2020.
She has had 10 fights in two years, including a professional boxing match against Auckland pro Holly McMath.
Linton will face Natalie Mackey on Saturday night at what will be her second only local fight.
The event will be a fun night with a family-friendly atmosphere, said Linton. “There will be some really good fights to watch.”
One of those fights will be Monster Moe Hussain from SMAC Gym vs The Wild Boar Earl-Jay Hepi.
Hussain has been boxing for over a decade, and was a finalist in the Trans-Tasman King in the Ring kickboxing tournament in Auckland last year.
The Parrs hope the Wairarapa community support this event. “We hope to raise as much as we can for those affected by the cyclone.”
Tickets for Mana FC6 – E Tu Wairarapa can be purchased from www.eventbookings.com
Preliminary and main event tickets can be sold separately, or a package deal for both.
