A 2020 REVIEW OF THE NZ PROFESSIONAL BOXING SCENE.

As with almost every other activity one can think of during 2020 boxing suffered from the effects of COVID-19. New Zealand was no different than anywhere else in this regard, less promotions, less fights and less active fighters marked the year in boxing. A pattern emerged, fights were postponed, then rescheduled, many were cancelled altogether.

Where NZ was different than most was in the way the virus was eliminated quickly each time an outbreak occurred. Periods of lockdown were shorter and less frequent and therefore boxing promotions could recommence. Still, much time was lost earlier on in the year, no boxing was held between the periods, mid-March to early July and from late July until early October. As a consequence of these lock downs there was less happening on the NZ boxing scene during 2020 than in previous years. The pace picked up markedly in final three months of the year with 11, of the year’s total of 20 promotions being held during this period. October was by far the most hectic month with 7 promotions, three being held on one night (10 October) alone.

Auckland was the epicenter for most of the above activity, 11 professional fight cards being held there. The remaining shows being spread around the country, two in Lower Hutt, two in Christchurch and one each in Hamilton, Masterton, New Plymouth, Cambridge and Tauranga.

At years end BOXREC listed New Zealand as having 110 male and 24 female active professional boxers. Of these, 66 men and 11 women competed during 2020. In New Zealand there were 52 professional fights, 44 male and 8 female bouts.  Forty-four men and nine females fought just once during the year. Thirteen men and one woman had two paid fights.

Our most active professionals, just a small group of 9 men, had 3 fights each. Among the women, Mea Motu, was our busiest pro fighter, engaging in four bouts; remaining undefeated for the year. Of the nine male boxers who had three fights, four went undefeated during the year, Andrei Mikhailovich, Joshua Francis, Shiva Mishra and Jessie Maio. Mikhailovich continued to impress during 2020 extending his unbeaten record to 14. His New Zealand Super Welterweight Title fight against Marcus Heywood at Auckland’s Sky City Theater, on 13 November was one of the high lights of the year.

A small number of our professionals, nine in total, fought overseas. In February, Joseph Parker stopped Shawndell Winters in 5 rounds at the Ford Centre in Texas and Patrick Mailata suffered his first defeat, losing a close decision to Kingsley Ibeh at the MGM Grand in Las Vagas in July. In December at Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta, Bowyn Morgan was quickly dispatched by Australia’s latest sensation Tim Tszyu. An overhand right from Tszyu at 1:54 of the opening round decisively finishing the fight. Veteran Mark Hunt lost a unanimous decision to Mark Gallen on the same card.

Earlier in the year Mose Auimatagi decisioned Belgium’s Ilias Achergui at the St Kilda, Town Hall and in Perth, Lance Bryant was KO’d in one by Aussie-based Kiwi, Floyd Masson. Ricky Silva scored a first round KO against Michael McDaniel at Slacks Creek in Queensland and Sam Beck beat PNG’s John Ake in Chandler, Queensland. Less successful were Clarence Tillman, Joshua Hatherley and Lomi Tusi all of whom suffered decision losses in Australia. Waikato Kato Falefehi had three bouts in Australia, dropping two decisions and winning one by TKO in the 3rd round against Nick Midgely. Our sole overseas visitor was Australian Super Bantamweight Eli-Bliss Reynolds who took a 4 round MD over Holly McMath at the Cordis Hotel, Auckland on 29th February before COVID-19 burst forth.

My standout performances during 2020 were David Lights points win over the very tough and determined Mose Auimatagi. This hard-fought exciting bout would be my choice as NZ Fight of the Year. Let’s hope the door opens for David to have a career defining fight during 2021. Andrei Mikhailovich’s 10 rounder against Marcus Heywood for the New Zealand Super Welterweight title was another cracking fight and would be my choice as the second-best fight in 2020.

Other notable performances were Richie Hadlow winning a very close decision over the more experienced Nort Beauchamp and Jerome Pampellone winning his pro debut against seasoned campaigner Thomas Russell. Mea Motu, just starting out and already spotting a 4 and zip record – which I have already covered (above).

Of the twenty professional promotions held during the past twelve months eleven were held in the Auckland region the other nine were spread around the country with two in Lower Hutt, two in Christchurch and one apiece in Hamilton, Masterton, Cambridge, New Plymouth and Tauranga.  Between them, Peach Boxing and Craig Thomson Promotions put on seven of the twenty shows. Nick Charalampous and Craig joined forces to promote a further two. Of the remaining 11 professional shows Glozier Boxing and Pou Sefesi put on two each, with seven promotors putting on one show each.

When one takes into account what could have happened during 2020 the year finished up not to badly. Let’s hope 2021 is a bumper of a year for boxing in NZ and abroad.

 *Main photo courtesy of Peach Boxing (left to right: David Light, Mea Motu, Andrei Mikhailovich, Jerome Pampellone).

MP 2020.