The 2022 Boxing New Zealand National Championships, being hosted by the Whanganui Boxing Association 5-8 October 2022, brings another significant milestone to the sport of amateur boxing in the country.

It is 120 years, since the first New Zealand Boxing Championships were staged in the Theatre Royal in Christchurch, on the 26th and 29th September 1902. It is interesting to note, that the winners received a gold medal valued at three guineas with the runner-up receiving a silver medal to the value of one guinea.

There were just a handful of boxers who contested just four weight classes, being the featherweight, lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight divisions. The bantamweight division was added the following year with the welterweight competition in 1908.

The 1920's opened a wide spectrum of competition with the introduction of the light heavyweight and flyweight divisions. The Championships were open competition, with the youngest ever winner being 14 year old Paddy McNally who claimed the flyweight title at the 1958 Nationals held in Hastings.

Whanganui, will see both Male and Female Cadets (12/13 years) Juniors (14/15) and Youth (16/17) join their  elite counterparts, in four days of boxing, which will culminate in the the 2022 Boxing New Zealand National champions being crowned. 

Friday and Saturday (7/8 October), will showcase 45 finals spread over the three age-groups and the elite divisions, with 12 female title deciders to be fought out. 

Daily results will be posted  on results pages Boxingnz.org.nz

Article added: Monday 03 October 2022