By KEVIN JAKAHI

Tribune-Herald sports writer

Ikaika Rodrigues will be chasing his biggest dream when he competes in the second season of the Toughman Hawaii Tournament of Champions, a stand-up martial arts kickboxing card to be held Saturday at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

He is among a handful of local talent to watch, including Tyler Leopoldino, Matt Majamay, Conrado Martin, Kieran Rosas, Shane Resurrection, Michael Nunes Kay, David McKinney, Sean Robbins, Juanito Raquel, and Awsom Barrozo, and Ikaika Rodrigues.

There will be an inaugural Junior Division championship fight, featuring 16-year-old Majamay (14-1) vs. Israel Lovelace (18-0) from Waianae.

“Matt is a phenomenal athlete and has a great future in contact sports,” promoter Wally Carvalho said. “Lovelace brings an abundance of great kickboxing talent and this will be an excellent match up for the title.”

Another featured bout is between Puna’s Rodrigues and Theodore Brown, an undefeated Waianae fighter with a 5-0 record for the flyweight title.

“My biggest dream is to win the flyweight title,” Rodrigues said. “I’ve been training harder than I ever have before and I’m going to do my best to keep that championship belt here in Hilo, I only wish that my dad were here to see me accomplish this huge task. I lost my dad a few years back. And now my uncle is really sick and we are all praying for him right now.

“I know this kid is tough but I’ll leave everything I have in the cage come January 7. Trust met with all of you looking down I know I can do this.”

Tickets are available at CD Wizard and Big Island Surf Company. Cageside tickets will be sold at AP Boxing in the Waiakea Rec Center from 4 to 6 p.m., Spirit of the White Robe in Hilo, and Average Joe’s in Kona.

For more information, call 960-4341.

Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald