By Duncan Johnstone
Former New Zealand Golden Gloves champion James Emerson has been given a late call-up to complete the Super 8 cruiserweight knockout boxing tournament in Auckland next week.
Emerson comes in to replace Australian Anthony McCracken who has been upgraded to fight David Aloua for his WBA Pan African cruiserweight crown after Daniel Baff's surprise withdrawal from one of the feature bouts on the card.
The night is headlined by heavyweights Shane Cameron and Kali Meehan.
Emerson is thankful to get his chance in the elimination series that sees fighters needing to win three three-round bouts to claim the main prize.
The 30-year-old has been vocal over the decision to include kick-boxer Israel Adesanya in the lineup, initially at his expense.
"It's funny how things work out, but I think justice has been done, the boxing community has rallied behind me," Emerson said as he learned of his late inclusion. It's an opportunity he intends to make the most of.
"In a way I hope I draw Adesanya in the quarters and make a big statement to the Super 8 promoters on behalf of the boxing community."
Adesanya didn't back away from the controversy: "It's a case of be careful what you wish for, but I'm genuinely happy for him. It's good for New Zealand boxing and James can stop crying about it and get on with the business of training."
Organisers also confirmed that powerful Ghanaian light-heavyweight Joseph Kwadjo would step up to the cruiserweight division as the tournament's international wild card.
The 29 year-old former UBO Intercontinental and IBF Australasian champion is a renowned fast starter and has 16 KO's in his 21 victories, and feels the three round format will suit him.
"I like to hit them early - so these three round fights are perfect for me. I have been training for eight weeks as the promoters had asked me to be the reserve fighter, but moving on to the main card has always been on my mind," Kwadjo said.
