Sitiveni Kutalele knows there is a lot riding on his match this weekend.

The Whakatāne Fight Club member is set to battle Aucklander Vake Tonga at Mercury Baypark Arena on Saturday night in what his trainer, Carl Cowley, describes as a promoter’s dream.

The cruiserweight battle is one of many on the fight card for the Lights Out Fight Series.

Cowley said preparation had gone smoothly with Kutalele working towards this fight for a few months.

The opportunity came after Hamiora Tamati, Kutalele’s original opponent, had to withdraw because of injury.

“It was scheduled to be a heavyweight fight and although Kutelele is a cruiserweight, we were willing to give away weight and experience to get on the fight card,” said Cowley

However, with Tamati’s withdrawal, Kutalele is back fighting in the cruiserweight class.

In their first meeting, Tonga beat Kutalele very convincingly but in the previous Lights Out tournament in March, Kutalele TKO’d Tonga in round one.

With one win each, this fight is the decider.

Cowley said when he agreed to fight Kutalele, Tonga was already locked in for a fight in Auckland on November 15.

“We had to wait to see if he came through the fight unscathed. Not only was potential injury a concern, but to fight for titles, fighters must have a series of wins leading into the fights, so a loss for Vake would have made him ineligible to fight for the title.

“Vake has not only been on a tear since losing to Kutalele, but he also came through that recent fight unscathed, which he won by first round knockout. Hence, making this fight an exciting one.”

Cowley said Kutalele was excited at the opportunity.

“Lights Out is New Zealand’s premier Muay Thai tournament with a huge production set and New Zealand and the world’s best Thai boxers so it’s been an honour and a privilege for our humble little club to be involved in all events.

“Sitiveni and Liam Witbrock fought in the first one, Sitiveni in the second, and now the third.

“The main event fights are for the coveted WBC Muay Thai World Titles.”

There’s hope that Kutalele can line up next against either Karaitiana Adams or Dontay Lolomania following Lights Out.

Cowley said Kutalele showed few nerves.

“This is a high stakes game and there’s a lot at stake. But the nature of this sport is that it’s like that for every fight, especially at this level. I’d be lying if I said he wouldn’t be nervous, but fortunately he’s fought under the bright lights of Mercury Baypark Arena two times already this year – in February when he won the Battle of the Clubs boxing main event by split decision against a former Golden Gloves boxing champion, and in March when he TKO’d Vake with elbows in their Muay Thai fight.”

Kutalele sees the fight as an exciting opportunity.

“I’m super excited for the challenge. This is our third time seeing each other in the ring and we’ve both got a win over the other, so super keen to showcase all the hard work I’ve put into this fight camp; first proper title shot.

“I’m not taking this opportunity for granted, whatsoever, and may the best man win.”