Six Elite Finals, headlined the 2021 New Zealand Golden Gloves held at the Woolston Club in Christchurch 3/4 July 2021.

The New Zealand Golden Gloves, brought together the top talent that had competed at the North and South Island Golden Gloves, held over the Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend (5/6 June 2021).

A full spectrum of amateur boxing talent from Cadets through to Junior, Youth and Elite open boxers, fought for the right to be crowned NZ Golden Gloves Champions.

A new rising star was revealed, in Sahkidad Ghazizada from the Papanui Club in the host city, who won the Elite Light Heavyweight division. Ghazizada squared of with Awatea Henry, who had won through to the title decider, after beating Casta Lemalie in semi-final action on day one.

Ghazizada won a shut-out five nil decision, in beating Henry, to be crowned the Boxer of the Tournament at the end of the day two proceedings.

Baylee MacDonald, who made the trip south from the City of Sails, returned home with the NZ Golden Gloves Elite Female 60kg title after defeating Beulah Paris from the Woolston Club.

Super Heavyweight Matt Mataika, added the NZ Golden Gloves title to his 2021 North Island Golden Gloves and 2020 National crowns, when he defeated Kana Tupai by way of a majority decision. 

Former two-time Boxing New Zealand National titleholder, Leroy Hindley, continued his successful comeback to the sport, in winning the Middleweight title. The Naenae Boxing Club fighter, dispatched South Island boxer Joseph Jacob by way of a 4-1 result from the judges.

New Zealand representative Wendell Stanley, from Revill's Gym in Auckland, had to dig deep into his reserves in beating Ryan Nolan 3-2.

Cayden Hope sat on the sideline on day one, due to drawing the bye - as Christian Tiako defeated Casta Lemelie in a preliminary contest, to book a date with Hope in the Light Welterweight final. Hope showcased his talent in the title decider, earning a majority decision from the five judges.

The Most Scientific award was won by 2020 National Youth Light Welterweight champion Daniel Meehan. The young talent on display was recognised with Ian Tauika being pressed with the Most Promising Boxer award.  

New Zealand Golden Gloves held at Woolston Club, Christchurch 3/4 July 2021

Elite Male Finals

L/Welterweight: Cayden Hope (Hit Fitness)        df Christian Tiako (Papanui) 4-1

Welterweight: Wendell Stanley (Revills)             df Ryan Nolan (Box Office) 3-2

Middleweight: Leroy Hindley (Naenae) df Joseph Jacob (Round 12) 4-1

L/Heavyweight: Sahkidad Ghazizada (Papanui) - df Awatea Henry (NZFF) 5-0

S/Heavyweight: Matt Mataika (Todds)                df Kana Tupai (Burnham) 4-1

Elite Female Finals

60kg: Baylee MacDonald (Todds)                       df Beulah Paris (Woolston) 5-0

Elite Male Semi-Finals

L/Welterweight: Christian Tiako (Papanui)         df Kheva Patatau (Revills) 5-0

L/Heavyweight: Awatea Henry (NZFF)              df Casta Lemalie (CKB) RSC R3

Boxer of the Tournament          Sahkidad Ghazizada (Papanui)

Most Scientific                          Daniel Meehan (Youth 64kg – Smiling Tigers)

Most Promising                         Ian Tauaika (Junior 75kg – Revills)

Article added: Tuesday 06 July 2021