The 'Butcher' is back! Robbie Berridge's bout in Australia

The 'Butcher' is back! Robbie Berridge's upcoming bout in Australia

REDEMPTION comes in many forms and at times can be hard to define.

But for New Zealand light-heavyweight Robbie Berridge redemption could be defined in just two words – ‘Kerry Foley’.

When they first met in 2011 Berridge had a perfect record after ten fights when he accepted the bout on 48 hours’ notice.

It was “The Butcher’s” first fight outside of New Zealand and the record shows it ended in a majority decision draw.

The untold story involves something of a conspiracy against the bruising southpaw and his team.

Foley was a no-show at the weigh in and did his best to steer clear of the Kiwi at the venue on the night ahead of their bout.

They would eventually square off in the sheds when it was clear the Australian was over the weight limit.

Once in the ring, Berridge knocked him down twice. One was ruled a “slip”. And the other – a genuine knock down – saw the referee evoke a slow count and an assisting hand towards Foley to help him back to his feet.

“Australian and New Zealand fighters have plenty of respect for each other,” Berridge’s manager Vasco Kovacevic said today. “But no Kiwi wants to leave a decision to Australian judges…”

That would suggest that the highly anticipated pay-per-view rematch at Moore Park in NSW on February 19 will be over before the end of the scheduled twelve rounds.

And a quick chat with Berridge drives home the fact.

Question: What are your memories about the Foley fight?
Berridge: “That I should’ve won, but was robbed by the Australian judges.”

Question: So, would it be fair to say you aren’t lacking any motivation for the re-match?
Berridge: “Correct. This fight will not go to the judges.”

Foley has power – he has knocked out 12 of the 14 fighters who have stepped up to challenge him – and sees the bout against Berridge as a chance to claim the Kiwis’ PABA Light heavyweight title.

The accompanying belt was once in the possession of the great Danny Green and both combatants know a win at Moore Park will garner much interest given the calibre of the pay-per-view card.

New South Wales and Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen – a star turn on the last two Fight for Life events - is expected to make his professional debut ahead of the intriguing IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title fight between three-time world champion Daniel Geale and WBA #13 Garth Wood.

THE COMBATANTS
Robbie Berridge (29) is the Kiwi ‘real deal’ boxer you may have never heard of – until now. He’s a bruising southpaw who likes to bang heavy and who is always looking to take the attack to his opponent. It’s a strategy that has worked well so far with Berridge claiming the WBC Asia Light Heavyweight title last year with a victory against Japan’s Shintaro Matsumoto. He followed that up with an impressive win against Argentina’s Mariano Jose Riva before his brutal war against fellow Kiwi Daniel MacKinnon which Berridge won with a 10th round TKO. That victory saw him claim the vacant PABA AND WBO Oriental light heavyweight titles. ‘The Butcher’ – part of Duco Events’ stable of fighters - has just one loss in his 24 professional bouts.

RECORD: W 22 (18 Kos) LOST 1 DRAWN 1
Aussie battler Kerry Foley declares that he is in the shape of his life since his 2011 draw with Robbie Berridge. The 26 year old has been active in the Australian cage fighting scene and is looking forward to redemption of his own. He claims that a “massive weight loss” in the 24 hours leading up to the first Berridge fight robbed him of his power. His record suggests that could be true – he has knocked out 12 of the 14 fighters he has defeated.

RECORD: W 14 (12 Kos) LOST 1 DRAWN 1

EVENT DETAILS:
WHAT:
• Robbie Berridge (NZ) v Ferry Foley (AUS) - main undercard of Daniel Geale v Garth Wood
• N.S.W Origin captain Paul Gallen steps out on debut against Queensland heavyweight Herman Purcell
DATE: Wednesday 19 February, 2014
VENUE: Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
TIME: 8pm NZT
LIVE ON SKY ARENA: http://www.skytv.co.nz/sky-arena-pay-per-view-events.aspx

ENDS

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