Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Sonny Bill Williams' ‘Fight for Christchurch' will see a Western Bay boxer and a former Tauranga pugilist making their entrance in undercard bouts.

Local light heavyweight Gunnar Jackson, who is fashioning a solid record since turning to the professional ranks last year, will fight one of the bouts that will lead to the main event.

A well-credentialed amateur boxer, Gunnar made boxing fans sit up and take notice with his performance on the recent David Tua undercard in South Auckland.

While Gunnar went into the Tua undercard bout with a promising three win, one draw, one loss record – he was expected to be cannon fodder for one of the troupe of Samoan rising stars.

Facing Afakasi Faumuina, the Tauranga puncher appeared overawed in the first of four rounds, however, following on an improved showing in the second stanza, Jackson really took the fight to his opponent in the second half of the bout, throwing good combinations of solid punches.

He stood and slugged it out in centre ring during the last two rounds and on occasions had his vaunted opponent going backwards.

While the referee raised both boxers' hands after the judges declared a draw, many ringside (and watching on television), thought that Gunnar was decidedly unlucky not to get the decision.

Since the Tua undercard bout, there has been plenty of interest from promoters, with Gunnar now seen as a prospect. While his current opponent on the SWB undercard has a 2win 6loss record, the nature of professional boxing in New Zealand is that there could be up to three changes of opponents until Gunnar steps into the ring at The Trusts Stadium in Waitakere.

The other boxer with Tauranga connections, who will be in action at the SBW show, is David Aloua-Rogers.

A former gym mate of Jackson, Dave was taken from a novice with some potential to win the New Zealand Heavyweight crown in 2009 and 2010.

In winning back-to-back titles in the glamour heavyweight division, he ranks along side such luminaries as David Tua, Garth da Silva and Shane Cameron, who won numerous amateur international medals a decade or two ago.

Both Jackson and Aloua-Rogers have come under the guidance of one of the best boxing coaches in New Zealand.

Tauranga Boxing Club head coach Chris Walker is a master of adding real finesse to the basic skills of boxing.

Walker is an outstanding student of boxing tactics and can read a fight from the corner to make the necessary adjustments between rounds.

Chris Walker first made his mark when he coached his elder brother Robbie who represented New Zealand at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Last year he repeated his mentoring excellence with Dave Aloua-Rogers and Anthony Taylor boxing at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

While many may consider the Sonny Bill Williams show a big yawn – it is a chance for Gunnar and Dave to shine on a big stage.

Seeya at the Game