Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 1

In this episode of Behind The Jersey, NZ sports reporter Kirstie Stanway speaks in-depth to Black Fern Niall Williams about her journey both on and off the field.

She shares the high’s of playing the sport she loves and the low’s of missing out on competing on the world stage at the Tokyo Olympics due to injury which then left her questioning her belonging.

This is the first time she has shared her story.

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Find Help Here - findahelpline.com or Call/ Text 1737. You don't have to do this alone.

This Sunday morning (from 6am NZT), Samoan heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker takes on the current world WBO #1 contender Joe Joyce for the WBO Interim Heavyweight Championship title.

The fight will represent a shootout to determine who will be made mandatory challenger for the winner of the forthcoming rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua.

Parker who is the former WBO world champion won the title in 2016 with a points victory over Andy Ruiz in Auckland. He successfully defended against Razvan Cojanu and Hughie Fury before suffering defeat in a unification battle with Anthony Joshua in Cardiff in March 2018.

The 30-year-old is currently on a six-fight winning streak, following a points loss to Dillian Whyte in July 2018, with the run including successive victories over Dereck Chisora, both in Manchester.

He talks here about living and training in the UK with Tyson Fury at Tyson's gym, his new trainer Andy Lee, his training camp, how he's feeling going into the fight and more.

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Credits: 

Cover photo & Video footage:  UK Promoters Queensbury & Duco Events 

Editor:  Joseph Taouma 

* 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 - 

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Watch the full episode below 

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Edited by Sefa Taouma 

Camera & Sound Operators - Penina Momoiseā & Sefa Taouma 

Interviewers - Penina Momoiseā

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

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Catch up on more of our Sports Talk eps here -