Zoe Putorak defends WBC title as Jaxson Hayman secures National belt
Knockouts, claret and upsets were the story of a belter sixth edition of the NT Fight Series. Check out all the results and pictures from the night here.
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The sixth NT Fight Series was another knockout success as a capacity crowd laid witness to the NT’s first ever title fight.
The crowd was pumping all night long as it cheered on the eight local fighters and were a part of history as they watched the first WBC World Championship title fight in the NT.
One of the major stars of the night and crowd favourite Jaxson Hayman was successful in his Super Middleweight WBC National Title bout.
The Territorian and his opponent locked horns, going the distance in a fight for the ages that was nothing but brutal.
Winning by a split decision Hayman said he was stoked to have won in front of a home crowd.
“I’m all right, bit of pain on the face and in my knee but otherwise I’m all good,” he said.
“Doing it at home means the world, it was tough as hell but I got through it and the support definitely helped.”
A formidable fighter with a fierce reputation Hayman said he always relished his fights as his opponents were few and far between.
“No one wants to fight me and I’m still going to have that problem moving forward,” he said.
“Some people get too comfortable and like boxing they pick and choose their fights to get their record to read better.
“I don’t mind who the f*** I fight, I’ll fight anyone that is up for it.”
The only dampener on the champion’s night was the fact he could no longer grace the town due to his face being cut up.
“I wanted to get it over earlier, I really was not planning at all to go the distance with the full five,” he said.
“I didn't want to take any damage and actually initially wanted to go out on the town but now I won’t be let in anywhere with my cheeks split up, so instead of that I’ll have to go get stitched up.”
RESULTS
Fight 1 (Light Heavyweight) – Aaron Phan (NT) vs. Shaun Rundle
A close contest that saw both opponents land shots that went all three rounds, but Rundle was just a tad above leading to him winning by unanimous decision.
Fight 2 (Super Lightweight) – Ivor Peters (NT) vs. Jaiden Bartley
The most one-sided contest of the evening, Peters was KOed with a kick after 15 seconds in the first round.
Fight 3 (Bantamweight) – Taleisha Kirk (NT) vs. Claire Russell
The first female matchup of the card, hometown favourite Kirk put up a tremendous fight that went all three rounds, but it was Russell who claimed victory via unanimous decision.
Fight 4 (Super Bantamweight) – Tyson Ledo (NT) vs. Ben Wilson
After walking out to the classic tune of ‘If You Want Blood You’ve Got It’, Ledo was up against it from the outset, a foot shorter than Wilson. Both fighters traded big blows in a fight that went all three rounds, but it was Wilson who took the win with a unanimous decision.
Fight 5 (Super Welterweight) – Lachlan Pemberton vs. George Kypreos (NT)
The only NT fighter not part of the Lukphinong gym, Kypreos was also the only NT fighter in the blue corner. The Territorian put up a gallant fight but was KOed in the third.
Fight 6 (Super Featherweight) – Jade Tran-Ngyuen (NT) vs. Rain Craig
The second female fight of the night saw the first victory go the way of the home side. Tran-Nguyen was a class above in all three rounds and earned a KO victory in the third.
Fight 7 (Super Middleweight) WBC National Title – Jaxson Hayman (NT) vs. Triastan Picton
The fight of the night was an all-out brawl. Hayman and Picton were two absolute warriors in the ring in a ferocious clash that went the distance. Both fighters landed massive blows drawing claret from one another. Hayman was crowned champion in a split decision.
Fight 8 (Super Welterweight) NTFS Pro Title – Benny Regan vs. Ben Harvey
Regan absolutely brutalised the right of Harvey landing four crunching liver kicks to win via KO in the first round.
Fight 9 (Super Lightweight) WBC World Title – Zoe Putorak (Aus) vs. Kendall Stewart (Can)
The main card event of the evening and the third female fight, it was one way traffic all the way of the champ Putorak who dismantled the Canadian, defending her world title in the first round.
Putorak said she was always confident in her ability and knew she’d handle the occasion but was still thankful for her opponent taking the time to step into the ring with her.
“I’m very appreciative of Kendall coming here and taking the fight because not many people in Australia or the world will fight me,” she said.
“But I know in myself what I’m capable of and I’m far more capable than my opponent.
“I executed exactly what I wanted to, I was actually going for a third round stoppage, so to get it done in the first round is a massive bonus.”
Fight 10 (Middleweight) – Caleb Gouck vs. Declan Goldthorpe
The contest went the full five rounds and was won in the latter rounds by some heavy blows to the head from Goldthorpe. He won the bout via unaminous decision.
Fight 11 (Super Middleweight) NTFS Title – Kieran Owen (NT) vs. Mick Krebs
Another absolutely brutal bout that saw both fighters land haymakers and go helter-skelter at times ultimately ended in the final round as Krebs won via KO.
Fight 12 (Featherweight) – Isaiah Badato (Aus) vs. Milan Tamang (Nepal)
After a super physical opening round that was very much split, it was Badato who claimed a KO victory after going Supersayan.
PHOTO GALLERY
History made: Territory to host first ever world title fight
*Originally published January 22 2025
The NT Fight Series is back for its sixth year, with this edition to make history as it plays host to the Territory’s first ever world title fight this Saturday.
Joe ‘Astro’ Rodrigues and Andy Price started the NT Fight Series on Australia Day in 2019 as a grassroots initiative to give young fighters the chance to show their skills in the Territory.
And now it has grown into a globally recognised spectacle with fighters from across Australia and several different countries including Nepal, Thailand and Canada making the trip.
This year will take the event to a whole new level with the World Boxing Council putting up the first ever world title fight to be fought in the Northern Territory.
The title fight will be fought between Australian Zoe Putorak and Canadian Kendall Stewart, while there will be a great group of Muay Thai bouts between Territorians.
Rodrigues has played a huge role in a lot of the fighters lives giving them chances both in the Territory and in his capacity as the Australian national coach.
“Zoe is an Australian girl who we gave an opening two years ago to fight for a WBC title and now she’s a four time world champion across the board,” Rodrigues said.
“Then there’s one of my boys in Jaxson Hayman, who started with me as a 15-year-old, he’s got 18 fights with 18 wins across the country and now he’s fighting for a national title.
“He’s one of the most furious boys with his elbows, and then we have a couple of girls as well including Taleisha Kirk, who is coming online as well.
“We’re building a lot of young fighters who are born and bred in the Territory and coming out of the gym with zero fights and progressing.
“If people have nothing to do on the long weekend come down to support these young fighters, but this is history making for us, it’s crazy.”
Price was similarly pleased with the progress the event had enjoyed in its short history with it set to be hosted at Ventia Stadium from 6pm on Saturday.
“Every event we do we sell out so we have to keep going for bigger and bigger venues every year,” Price said.
“This year we’ve had to go for Ventia, because we keep running out of capacity and if we can hit that 1000 mark that would be ideal.
“Without our major sponsors in NB Automotive and Neptune Security none of this would be possible, and we would love to see the likes of NT Major Events jump on board too.
“This is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and this event is hugely popular in the Territory, events like these are what Darwin deserves.
“There’s probably about 150-200 people coming to the NT just to watch this event, which for something with zero government support in the Wet Season is remarkable, it’s a really good venture.”
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Originally published as Zoe Putorak defends WBC title as Jaxson Hayman secures National belt
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