The super heavyweight champion is still the king… but this one wasn’t easy.
A split decision win over Manu McKinney kept the belt in Hawaii—but if you listen to the champ, he’s not fully satisfied.
“I Expected War… and Got It”
He knew exactly what kind of fight Manu would bring:
- Tough chin
- Big frame
- Willing to go all rounds
“I expected nothing less… he gave me 100%.”
Instead of chasing a knockout, the game plan leaned toward:
- Speed
- Accuracy
- Protecting his injured hand
“I was sacrificing the right… I needed the left to hold the belt.”
That tells you everything—you’re looking at a fighter managing damage mid-fight and still winning.
⚠️ Honest Self-Assessment
No excuses—but also no sugarcoating:
- Didn’t feel he had enough power
- Admitted he could’ve trained more
- Recognized doubt creeping in
“I had to prove it wasn’t a fluke.”
That’s the mindset of a champion who knows he’s still evolving.
🇵🇫 Bigger Than Just a Fight
One of the most meaningful parts of this matchup:
- Polynesian vs Polynesian
- Hawaii vs Māori representation
“It feels unreal… I was trusting in the Lord more than anything.”
This wasn’t just about rankings—it was about identity, pride, and culture on a big stage.
👁️ Damage Report
Even in victory, he took some punishment:
- Multiple shots to the eye
- Face feeling the effects
“Every hit was up here… right in my eye.”
But importantly:
- No suspension
- Ready to go again sooner rather than later
👊 What’s Next?
A few clear storylines are emerging:
1. Possible Dumpling Rematch
The Dumpling already called him out.
Champion’s response?
“I’ll make sure I knock him out… put him on a stretcher.”
No ambiguity there.
2. Manu McKinney Rematch
Despite winning, he’s open to running it back:
- Acknowledges Manu’s toughness
- Wants to come back stronger
“Now I know what to expect.”
3. Family Dynasty?
We might see something wild:
- Not one
- Not two
- But three brothers in Power Slap
“Nobody did that.”
🧠 Champion Mentality
Even after defending his belt:
- He’s thinking about improvement
- Not resting on the win
- Already adjusting strategy
Next focus:
- Power + Speed + Accuracy (all three together)
🏁 Final Take
This wasn’t a highlight-reel knockout—but it might be more important than one.
Why?
- He proved durability
- He adapted mid-fight
- He won under pressure
And most importantly:
He knows he can be better.
That’s dangerous for the rest of the division.