Tauranga's Jonathan Taylor is now the New Zealand and IBO super middleweight champion, after defeating Jordan Tai in Saturday night's Big Bash Six.

Widely considered the ‘underdog', Taylor opened the fight with a swift right that knocked Tai onto all-fours.

Tai got payback in fifth round, though, when he forced Taylor to go on the run, which culminated in the Tauranga boxer ending up on his back.

However, it was Taylor who had the last word, catching Tai with another right that left him reeling and unable to defend himself against an onslaught of punches.

After bouncing between the ropes, Tai was spared when the ref stopped the fight, handing Taylor the win.

Taylor now joins Gunnar ‘the Stunner' Jackson and Anthony ‘TNT' Taylor as New Zealand professional boxing champions hailing from Tauranga, and who have trained at Tga Box HealthandFitness.