KO Boxettes paid their dues through Fair go

This short cigar belongs to a man with no name. This long gun belongs to a man with no name. This poncho belongs to a man with no name. He's going to trigger a whole new style in adventure, so who does the four thousand dollars in an envelope belong to?

That dear friends was the tag line from a spaghetti western classic (without the four thousand Kiwi part), our adaptation now belongs to boxings mystery man. The whole new style of adventure though is questionable...

A second time running KO World Series, the boxing and kick boxing extravaganza which came to a grinding halt made it on Fair go, New Zealand’s prime time consumer affairs program. Thankfully the man with no name didn’t make it to the great big wall of fame. For those of you have been following this drama from day one, it will be oinment for fight industry stress disorder.

Finally, after what seemed like a tricky period for eight models who were supposed to be given a globe trotting opportunity, a calendar shoot and a fistful of dollars, things seem to have begun to settle. One of ten payments, instalments of four thousand dollars each has begun.

Initially, as things fell apart for KO Boxing and then kick boxing with the dollars drying out and cheques bouncing like basketballs, the man with no name squared the ladies up with forty, hundred dollar bills.

So finally this saga seems to begin to draw to an end, if thirty six thousand dollars more keep coming in nameless envelopes to TVNZ reception. Whichever way the ladies will have their grievance resolved and money owed settled, albeit with payments for which receipts are not requires.

Embattled ex-CEO of KO World Series, Dixon McIver who initially fronted for the camera and pleaded poverty survived and dodged the bullet with everything pointing to the mystery man, who was supposedly the financial backer of the series. On the cards was Jonah Lomu, who on the surface seems to have very little to do with it as there is no evidence to suggest otherwise.

The troubles started after February, then to March and April drag out of a cancellation, only to compound the misery as several fighters, trainers and everyone involved in the production were hit, financially in some form or shape. It goes to show that when “big shows” go down it takes almost everyone with it, well almost. Given that the credit crunch and a dwindling economy, this is the last thing anyone involved in the fight industry of New Zealand wanted to see.

Kevin Milne, the host of “Fair Go” who has relentlessly pursued justice for the Boxettes seemed relieved more than anything else, as he pulled out hard cash which looked impressive in these economic times-- this is a clear indication of media power. It is heartening even though when push came to shove, the man with no name has fronted up just in the knick of time. Talk about cutting it fine!

Given that the mystery man and his posse, whoever they maybe: have promised to settle the issue amicably were given very generous terms. Ten months is a long time to pay out forty thousand dollars and hopefully the nine other instalments flow uninterrupted. We will all hope and this issue dies a quiet but fair death for the ladies.

Short cigar or long gun, Poncho or no name—this will go a long way in rectifying a tainted image of New Zealand fight sport and boxing promoters. It’s not a good time to be playing Russian roulette, instead money in the bank for these beautiful women who would feel a bit more at ease.

Editor's note: Kudos to legendary investigative journalist Kevin Milne, for bringing about a diplomatic sollution to this issue, which threatned to seriously taint fight sport in New Zealand.

Photo courtsey of MGM (C)