While he had already beaten him twice previously, the encounters had been entertaining and competitive enough to warrant a third go-around, so it was with expectations of another spirited showdown when Lance Bryant took on Tom Heads on Saturday October 8 in Feilding, New Zealand.
On the line was the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) Oceania Cruiserweight title, and both boxers seemed determined to not disappoint the fans who had turned up to see excitement at the Feilding Civic Centre. And, headlining the Feilding Fight Fest, it was indeed another good scrap.
But again “Busta” Bryant proved to be the superior boxer, and while Heads had his moments of success the man from Pahiatua had more in his arsenal to offer. Heads was game as they come, but Bryant more often than not got the better of the many exchanges.
Entering the tenth and final stanza, Bryant looked the fresher man and when he landed a hard left hook early on he clearly hurt Heads. Following up with a flurry, Bryant didn’t let Heads off the hook and poured it on until the referee stepped in and stopped the fight at 0:30 of the round.
Also the New Zealand national and IBO Asia Pacific titlist, Bryant (35) improved his professional record to 9-3 (3). Heads (31) falls to a very deceiving 2-6 (1), and could easily come back strong if matched appropriately. The fight was promoted by Michael Meehan.
