The Cook Islands Sports Association (CISA) students held their own in the ring on Saturday night when they faced some of the islands more experienced boxers for the biggest fight night on the island for some time.

A good sized and vocal crowd flocked to the Telecom Sports Arena for the spectacle that began with bout between 14-year-olds Christian Toa and Harmon Royal.

Despite being of slighter build compared to his opponent – Royal certainly punched above his weight with clean and calculated jabs. And while Toa fought valiantly it was Royal that declared the winner of this three one minute rounds.

The second bout drew a great cheer from the arena stands as CISA student Ovain Teokoitu sauntered to the ring to face San-Brian Artesano.

Both boxers had brought with them strong support including Teokoitu’s rugby playing mates and Artesano’s family from the Filipino community.

Teokoitu was the more active of the two boxers egged on by his roudy supporters but clean hits saw Artesano win the bout.

Amateur boxer Jerome Engu Tavai was confident when he stepped into the ring but he realised after his first two minute round that opponent Joe ‘the hitman’ Hoeflich of CISA was not going to take lying down.

Fleet footed Hoeflich grew with confidence with every jab that connected and as it turned out – he was the better boxer according to the judges.

The islands up and coming boxer Marcus Jack was just too fast and technically knowledgeable as he ran rings around his CISA opponent Nathan Pere to win the bout.

Despite that, Pere fought it out and got in a couple of good hits on his more experienced opponent.

Bernard Okotai easily outweighed his CISA opponent Fernandez Patia but the youngster refused to give in to last the three rounds in the ring although Okotai was the clear winner from the outset.

Then the big boys came out to play when national boxers Ray Roumanu and Eddie Daniel faced off.

Roumanu began with a hiss and a roar but Daniel waited out the blows before showing his real talent and skill to out box Roumanu and win the fight.

Easily the most thrilling bout of the night was that between CISA student Noel ‘the Hulk’ Emile weighing in at 93kg and Tuarii Yaewua weighing in at 92kg.

The bout was evenly contested as both big boys exchanged blows which resulted in a bloody nose for Emile – but wasn’t stopping him giving it his all.

And with great support from the ring side – the Hulk battled through the fatigue to win his action packed bout.

CISA student Tai Joseph took less than a minute to win his bout against Willie Bill who suffered a huge right hook to his jaw from Joseph before declaring himself unfit to carry on.

The final bout of the night saw Osalei Akai take on Jubilee Arama from Tahiti and of Aitutaki decent.

Both boxers exhibited great knowledge of the sport but Arama had the edge over Akai with his taller frame and longer reach for a slim victory over his Pukapuka opponent.

It was a fantastic night enjoyed by all and there was real pride among the crowd in the way that the young CISA students held their own in the ring.