Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 14

* PG recommended - coarse language 

Roman Reigns (ex-NFL player turned face of the WWE) joins the 'Impaulsive' podcast boys to discuss fighting The Rock at WrestleMania, viral mic catch & legendary rivalry vs Brock Lesnar, retiring from NFL due to leukemia, infamously forgetting his lines vs John Cena, ruthless moments from WWE fans, Logan’s challenge to Roman & more.

Tongan Heavyweight boxer Hemi Ahio will follow in the footsteps of legendary Samoan boxer David Tua and showcase his talents along with Cruiserweight boxer & Commonwealth Gold medalist David Nyika, to a bumper live free-to-air TV audience in October.

TVNZ will screen both NZ boxers fights on the undercard of the undisputed lightweight championship rematch between Aussie former unified world champion George Kambosos Jr and American current undisputed world champion Devin Haney in Melbourne on October 16.

The last time a boxing world title fight screened free-to-air in New Zealand was Tua’s unsuccessful tilt against Lennox Lewis in November 2000. The broadcast was viewed by a record 1.3 million people, which at that time translated into an incredible 82% of all TV viewers – 200,000 more than watched the royal wedding of Charles and Diana.

Undefeated heavyweight knockout artist Ahio is out to break into the world rankings – ahead of a blockbuster world title fight – so fight fans are in for a rare treat.

“There’s a lot more to New Zealand heavyweight boxing than Joseph Parker,” Ahio said.…more

Sonny Bill Williams will fight Mark Hunt in an explosive heavyweight showdown at Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena on November 5.

Stan Sport on Thursday confirmed details of the bout between dual code legend Williams and MMA great Hunt with the high profile pugilists set to come face to face at a 10am AEST press conference.

The fight - available for Stan customers to purchase on Stan Event - will be the first for Williams since his emphatic round one knockout of Barry Hall in March.

Now Sonny will step up again and face one of the country's most dangerous knockout artists on Stan Event.

Mark Hunt has taken on the best in the world and shown the power and determination to finish on top, and now he has a chance to stop a rising boxing superstar in his tracks.

More info in the full article via Wide World of Sports here 

He's beloved by the masses because of his carefree attitude and brutal fighting style but Tai Tuivasa is well aware of the task in front of him this weekend in Paris.

We followed 'Bam Bam' to Thailand for his training camp in the lead up to his title eliminator fight against former UFC Interim Heavyweight champ Ciryl Gane.

Coco Sports Talk with Penina and Ashley - covering all things sports from a Pasifika female lens!

#CocoSportsTalk looks at the many stories of Pasifika people involved in sports of all kinds, and the trials and tribulations of the talented athletes from all sectors of our community.

This episode is Part 2 of our Fathers Day - Fighters edition mini series.  Co-owners and head coaches at City Kickboxing Gym, Eugene Bareman & Doug Viney chat with us about Fatherhood, parenting styles, proud Dad moments & more.  Doug is joined by his son Roman who he also coaches & pays tribute to his Nana who raised him.

Here's to all the people acting in father roles whatever that set up is like in your whanau.…more

Coco Sports Talk with Penina and Ashley - covering all things sports from a Pasifika female lens!

#CocoSportsTalk looks at the many stories of Pasifika people involved in sports of all kinds, and the trials and tribulations of the talented athletes from all sectors of our community.

This episode is Part 1 of our Fathers Day - Fighters edition mini series.  Light Heavyweight UFC fighter Tyson Pedro and his father John sat down with us at City Kickboxing Gym in Auckland ahead of Tysons fight in Salt Lake City against Harry Hunsucker.  (He won the fight btw - peep the KO below).

They have a hilarious conversation with us about Fatherhood, parenting styles, proud Dad moments, what they love to do together and much more.…more

Coco Sports Talk with Penina and Ashley - covering all things sports from a Pasifika female lens!

#CocoSportsTalk looks at the many stories of Pasifika people involved in sports of all kinds, and the trials and tribulations of the talented athletes from all sectors of our community.

This episode we're excited to have Tongan Director and film maker Tony Vainuku join us via Zoom from Salt Lake City, Utah.  Tony is the Emmy Award winning Director of the 2015 film 'In Football We Trust' and more recently co-directed the Manti Te'o episode of the UNTOLD Season 2 series - 'UNTOLD: The girlfriend who didn't exist'.

Here he shares with Ninz & Ash how the opportunity came about to direct the documentary, how he was able to get Manti onboard with sharing his story to a global audience, what he learned from doing the doco, why it's so important for our people to tell our stories ...…more

Aaron Leha'uli, John Vake, Sione Sika & Tiger-Lily Cocker-Lemalie were part of the Tongan Wrestling team that competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The team made history as it was also the first time Tonga have ever had a wrestling team compete at the Commonwealth Games.

John Vake breaks down the history of wrestling in Tonga, famous Tongan wrestlers and more for us here - 

- 

Watch the full episode below 

-

Edited by Sefa Taouma 

Camera & Sound Operators - Penina Momoiseā & Sefa Taouma 

Interviewers - Penina Momoiseā

-

Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

-

Catch up on more of our Sports Talk eps here - 

Coco Sports Talk catches up with a couple of young men representing Niue at the Commonwealth Games - boxers Duken Williams & Deniro Pao-Clarke - at their fundraising event in Grey Lynn prior to them leaving for Birmingham.

We also check out their sparring session with legendary Tongan fight coach Lolo Heimuli who talks a bit on their preparation and what he's excited about leading up to the Games.

Since this interview, Duken Williams went on to win Bronze at the Commonwealth Games and make history as the first person to ever win a medal at the Commonwealth Games for Niue.

- 

Watch the full episode below 

- 

In memory of Eliza Truhobovich 13.02.88 - 15.07.22

She was a big part of the Hurtlocker gym, a close friend and huge supporter of Duken & Deniro.

The boys dedicate their Commonwealth Games bid to her memory.…more

As it came down to the business end of the Commonwealth Games this weekend, there were still medals up for grabs with 4 of our Pacific islands nations still in action on Sunday and they didn't disappoint with both Samoa and Vanuatu picking up the final medals for the Pacific Islands.

Samoa secured their 4th Silver by way of Heavyweight boxer Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali on Sunday evening in Birmingham. He took on home crowd favourite, 6ft 6 boxer Lewis Williams & put on as the commentators said 'a tremendous fight' but ultimately lost by Unanimous Decision.

At the medals ceremony, he shared the podium with fellow Pasifika fighter, Niuean Duken Williams who was awarded a Bronze. 

The Vanuatu Womens Beach Volleyball team took on the New Zealand Womens Beach Volleyball team in the Bronze medal match and what a match it was.

They went down in the first set 10-21 to NZ, clawed their way back in the 2nd set to win it 22-20 and then were dominant in the 3rd, winning comfortably 15-10, a fantastic effort from the Vanuatu pair.…more