Whether hardcore boxing fans want to accept it or not there are some things that appeal to the casual fans enough to be worthy of a promoters investment. One of those is Heavyweight boxing, which can still draw a large audience despite the over-played death of the division. Another of things that appeals to casual fans is the one night knock out tournaments.

We had one of those tournaments, dubbed the "Super 8" earlier today in New Zealand. The competition, which is a direct clone of the popular "Prizefighter" competition from the UK, was put on PPV with Sky Arena in New Zealand and also shown in nearby Australia on "Main Events". And, with links to an Asthma charity, it appears to have done very well.

The competition kicked off with the biggest name involved as Hasim Rahman (50-9-2, 41), a former world champion, was shockingly upset by rank outsider Anthony Nansen (4-3, 1). Nansen used his speed to out point the cumbersome Rahman who really did live up to the harsh moniker of "Hasbeen Rahman". It was an upset of upsets and saw Rahman going out in the first quarter final.

Rahman wasn't the only fighter upset in the quarter finals as his fellow American Alonzo Butler (30-3-1, 22) was out pointed by Brice Ritani-Coe (4-3-1, 3) in a second major upset in as many fights. Although this was scored a "split decision" we're not sure how any judge managed to give it to Butler who often looked very lazy in the ring, though was the more skilled.

The upsets ended when the experienced Kali Meehan (41-5, 32) over-came Australian champion Hunter Sam (10-3-2, 4) in a split decision. Although Sam lost he showed off enough for us to think he could well be a future OPBF title holder. He has a real toughness to him, lovely speed and perhaps just needed a bit of extra size and experience here.

Although Meehan/Sam was a good fight the stand out quarter final wasa bout between the UK's Michael Sprott (42-22, 17) and Ireland's Martin Rogan (16-6, 8). The bout saw both men, both former Prizefighter winners, giving their all in a really enjoyable bout that showed the spirit of these 1 night tournaments to the full.

Between the quarter finals and the semi finals their was an inter-lude for other bouts, including a contest between Hemi Ahio (3-0, 2) and William Quarrie (4-1, 1). This was another really fun to watch encounter as both men unloaded on the other. It may have resembled a pub fight at times but it was thoroughly entertaining all the same.

Following the small interlude we returned for the semi finals which saw Michael Sprott over-coming Nansen by a shut out to move into the final and Kali Meehan defeating Ritani-Coe by a clear unanimous decision.

In the final Meehan forced an opening round KO over Sprott to take home the big championship prize which, we've been told, was a very nice monetary reward for just 7 rounds of boxing.

Whilst Meehan won we've got to admit we were more impressed by the 3 lowly under-dog who all gave a great account of themselves against more experienced men. The trio are unlikely to reach the peak of the sport but they will all be interesting men to follow.

Thursday night saw the latest edition of "Prizefighter" as the 8 man tournament returned for a special "USA v UK" edition at Heavyweight. Whether you like them or not "Prizefighter" is something that appears to be here to stay and in all honesty we enjoy them. As said several times last night on various forums "they may not be world class boxing but they are usually fun" and that's what draws the neutrals in.

Sadly we, the hardcore, are out numbered so any boxing is better than no boxing.

The tournament, which featured James Toney, Jason Gavern, Damian Wills, Brian Minto (team USA) and Michael Sprott, Tom Little, Matt Legg and Larry Olubamiwo (team UK) may have been a case of has-beens and who? But it was fun, mainly due to Jason Gavern who genuinely was bundle of fun.

The first round of fights saw the aforementioned Gavern defeating Olubamiwo (10-4, 9) by decision with "The War Machine" suffering a knockdown; Brian Minto defeating Tom Little (3-2) via what appeared to be a clear decision in the eyes of everyone but the sole judge who had Little winning; James Toney stopping the completely out classed Matt Legg (6-2, 2) and Michael Sprott coming through against Damian Wills (31-4-1, 24).

Following the quarter finals we were left with Gavern v Toney and Sprott against Minto. Despite the quarters being some what unmemorable the semi's were certainly exciting and genuinely interesting. The first saw Gavern taking a majority decision over Toney (76-9-3-2, 46) in a bout that featured more than it's share of entertainment with the third round in particular being great fun. The second saw arguably the fight of the night with both Sprott and Minto going at it for the 3 rounds. Unfortunately for Minto (38-7, 24) it was he who came up short losing a close decision.

This left us with a final of Sprott against Gavern (25-16-4, 11), who had been sending the crowd into fits of "wooo", a la professional wrestler Ric "The Nature Boy" Flair. Unfortunate the final failed to live up to the excitement of the semi-finals as Gavern suffered an elbow injury that really troubled him in the final round of a bout that Sprott (40-21, 17) won with a safety first approach.

As well as the Prizefighter there was, as mentioned, a bout featuring Olympic gold medal winner Anthony Joshua (3-0, 3). Joshua, fighting over-weight Croatian Hrvoje Kisicek (5-7, 1), was given arguably the most pointless work out of his career so far. Although it's fine to do things slowly at this point in Joshua's career this really wasn't a match worth making. In all honest, Joshua will have had a more meaningful work out by getting out of bed. Kisicek, who had extended Hughie Fury 6 rounds just a few weeks ago looked dreadful here and the result, a second round TKO for Joshua, said more about Fury than it did about Joshua.

Across the Atlantic in the US we had yet more Heavyweight action.

Hard hitting American prospect Charles Martin (12-0-1, 10) surprisingly stopped the usually durable Joey Dawejko (8-3-2, 3) in the fourth round, after dropping him in the third. This was on a show that also featured an opening round blow out for Greek-born American Thanasis Michaloudis (6-0, 6) who swiftly despatched Robert Dunton (9-10-1, 6).

Just a day after Fabio Eduardo Moli was disqualifed in Argentina, we had anpther disqualification in the Heavyweight division, this time however it was in Puerto Rico as Jimmy Suarez (2-5, 2) got himself disqualified against the hard hitting Carlos Cotto (5-0, 4).

Cotto, who had entered the bout with a perfect KO record will perhaps feel a bit annoyed that his KO streak has come to an end though anyone who saw the fight will know that Suarez was on the verge of being stopped had he not clubbed Cotto with illegal shots anyway.

Again, like yesterday, there was also action Argentina, this time however we didn't get the riot that followed the Moli/Vidondo fight. Instead we saw Marcelo Fabian Dominguez (44-7-1, 24), a former Cruiserweight, stopping domestic journeyman Hector Alfredo Avila (22-15-1, 14) in the 7th of a scheduled 10 rounds.

In Switzerland we had the two biggest surprises of the night. Firstly the withdrawal of Arnold Gjergjaj, who was supposed to be main eventing in his adoptive Switzerland and then the subsequent opening round stoppage of Michael Sprott (37-21, 17) by Erkan Teper (11-0, 7). Sprott, whilst certainly not a world beater has rarely been stopped this early, in fact only former world champion Corrie Sanders managed to stop inside a round. Very impressive result for Teper.

One of the most interesting bits of Heavyweight action for the day was in Hungary courtesy of a "Super 4" Heavyweight tournament.

The tournament began with two semi-finals, these saw Tamas Bajzath stopping Attila Zsiros (1-1-1, 1) in the second round and Ferenc Zsalek defeating Istvan Ruzsinszky (11-8-1, 8), in a bout that went to an extra round after being scored a draw originally.

The victories for Bajzath (8-5-1, 4) and Zsalek (12-35-3, 1) saw them competing in a final bout with Bajzath taking a 4 round decision for the top prize.