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Posted on Monday December 5th 2011 at 3:47 p.m.
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The Oakura surfing international went toe-to-toe with television sports reporter and former New Zealand snowboarder Hayley Holt in the Fight For Life boxing fundraiser.
The blondes thrilled the packed stadium and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
"I definitely got knocked around in the first [round] and it was hard work. Hayley came out firing and got me a couple of good ones to the head," Hareb said yesterday.
Hayley Holt and Paige Hareb battle it out. Image by PETER MEECHAM/Fairfax Media
"I was pretty dizzy at the end of the first and somehow I pulled it together and fired up a bit more and came back OK in the second. It's all a bit of a blur to be honest."
Hareb was feeling "a little bit sore" when joining the other fighters involved in the charity event for lunch at an Auckland restaurant yesterday afternoon.
"It feels like I've got a bit of whiplash and I've got a sore hand. Nothing too bad."
She ruled out a rematch with Holt.
"At the moment I'm going to stick to surfing and concentrate on that and keep up the boxing for my fitness."
Hareb received countless congratulations from wellwishers.
"A lot of people said it was one of the most exciting fights of the night, so that was pretty cool."
Holt was hot favourite with her six-kilogram weight advantage and previous competition experience in the boxing ring.
However, the unanimous decision in favour of Holt sparked boos after an immensely courageous effort from Taranaki's surfing star.
The diminutive 21-year-old, clubbed with some powerful Holt right hooks, looked out on her feet after two standing counts in the first round.
Hareb said her New Plymouth trainer Jacob Rapira offered her a few tips during the break after the first round.
"He helped me out and got me fired up. He told me to keep my hands up more and move around the ring more. He said he thought Hayley was showing signs of getting tired and that way it would make it harder for her to hit me.
"It worked."
Hareb is looking forward to surfing. Her first competition of the new year will be in Sydney early in February.
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By TONY BIRD - Taranaki Daily News