Shane Cameron wins in farcical fashion

New Zealand heavyweight boxer Shane Cameron won his comeback fight in farcical fashion when his Australian opponent John Hopoate was disqualified in the second round of their Melbourne bout.

Australian referee Malcolm Bulmer stopped the fight 43s into the second round of their 10 round fight with Hopoate guilty of persistent holding and wrestling tactics.

Hopate stormed from the ring and the result also left Cameron's camp livid, believing the referee stopped the fight too early.

Hopoate started the opening round by slinging Cameron around and constantly moved in close to cut down the Kiwi's range.

It was an ugly first round where Hopoate was warned for his persistent holding.

The referee lost his patience quickly much to the shock of both boxers and the crowd at the Flemington Racecourse.

"This is not wrestling, this is boxing," referee Bulmer told the Hopoate camp in explaining his dramatic finish to the fight.

Cameron's new Australian trainer Barry Michael quickly made his feelings known.

"We are very disappointed. We wanted to put on a show for the fans. I have the utmost respect for Malcolm Bulmer but he stopped the fight too soon. They are both big men ... this is professional fighting not a tickling contest for god's sake," Michael said.

Cameron's manger Ken Reinsfeld concurred: "I agree with what Barry had to say. Shane came here to fight and we will fight anyone any time."

A disappointed Cameron clearly wanted more action in the ring as he was out to prove himself following his knockout loss to David Tua last October.

"I can't help the decision ... it happens in the ring," he said. ""I will be back next month in Wellington."

Hopoate, the brawling former league star, did little to enhance his reputation in the ring. He appeared to have a plan to negate Cameron's superior skills but took it too far.

Both fighters were back in the ruing for the first time since the "Fight of the Century" night in Hamilton.

Hopoate lost to fellow Aussie Colin Wilson by a fourth round knockout that night while Cameron was blitzed by Tua in the second round of their headline act.

Cameron has now fought 26 times for 24 wins and two losses.

Hopoate, who played more than 200 NRL games for Manly and Wests Tigers, is left with a boxing record of 12 wins and five losses.

Cameron had hand surgery following his loss to Tua and is determined to resurrect his career.

But this fight did nothing to answer any questions about his future as he battles back from the devastating loss to Tua.

And it did nothing to enhance the heavyweight scene on either side of the Tasman.

- © Fairfax NZ News