We finish off the last lead-up article to the 2024 Boxing New Zealand National Championships with a look back to the 2018 National titles hosted by the Canterbury Boxing Association.

Double Commonwealth Games gold medalist David Nyika, confirmed his status as the best amateur pugilist at the Boxing New Zealand National Championships held in Christchurch 3rd-6th October 2018, when he was awarded the prestigious Jameson Belt.

The Jameson Belt dates back to 1927 and is awarded to the most scientific senior boxer. Shane Cameron, who won the belt in 2001 is the only other heavyweight to win the Boxing New Zealand big prize.

Boxing in the Auckland Boxing Association singlet, Nyika took his second heavyweight title by stopping Canterbury's Trevor Swainson in round two. Nyika spent less than three rounds  in the ring during the Christchurch championships after the referee intervened to stop both his bouts.

Jerome Pampellone won the first of his three Light Heavyweight titles at the Hornby Club. The Auckland pugilist would go on to win three fights at the AIBA World Championships in Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2019. Jerome came within a whisker of coming home with a medal, after being beaten by Benjamin Whittaker from England, by way of a split decision in the semi-finals.

Just, Trevor Shailer, Sililo Figota, David Tua (1991) Kahukura Bentson (2003) Yamiko Chinula, Isekeli Mama (2007) Joe Blackbourn (2011) and David Nyika (2017, 2019) join Jerome Pampellone in winning one bout (or more) at the World Championships.

Another decorated warrior to re-ink his champion credentials at the 2018 titles, was Wellington/Hutt Valley Middleweight Ryan Scaife, who won the third of his five successive 75 kilo crowns.

Canterbury's Sam Watt, who is heavily involved in the organisation of this seasons championships, signed off with his fifth successive title. Two Heavyweight titles in 2014 and 2015 were followed by Super Heavyweight championships in the next three years.

Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Troy Garton (Shamrock) was one of three female boxers to retain their crowns. The Auckland lightweight controlled the action against Michelle Nuki (Bay of Plenty) to earn a unanimous decision from the judges.

Light Welterweight Cara Wharerau (Kirikiriroa), shut out Bree Cummings (Boxing Canterbury Metro), while Che Kenneally (Auckland) was another to post a clinical victory when she beat Chrissy Read (Canterbury) by unanimous decision.

The Bill O’ Connor Cup was awarded to Light Welterweight champion Tui Halaangingie Vea. Tameana Puhi won the Welterweight big prize, while Flyweight Ryan Entese beat Ivan Pavich for the second successive year in their trilogy of title fights.

Deanne Read won the Elite Female big prize of the Bobby Johnson Cup, awarded to the most scientific female boxer, after earning the Welterweight crown.

Other women boxers to collect championship titles, were Heavyweight Tyler Rogers, Tegan Burdett-Clarke in the Featherweight class and Holly McMath who took home the Flyweight title.

Six years after being awarded the WP Sommerville Cup for the most scientific junior boxer, Onyx  Lee, is chasing the Heavyweight crown in Christchurch. The 2021 Light Heavyweight champion, who added the Jameson Belt in his Whanganui Championships triumph, has set his sights in joining such as Jimmy Peau, David Tua, Shane Cameron and David Nyika in the record book.

The most scientific Youth boxer at the 2018 Nationals, Jesse Hawken, is also chasing more senior glory in 2024, being amongst the six middleweight entries. The Southlander won the Middleweight title in Tauranga and is aiming to win back to back titles in the Middleweight division..

Boxing New Zealand National Champions @ Christchurch 2018

Elite Male

Super Heavyweight               Sam Watt (Canterbury)

Heavyweight                          David Nyika (Auckland)

Light Heavyweight                Jerome Pampellone (Auckland)

Middleweight                         Ryan Scaife (Wellington/Hutt Valley)

Welterweight                         Tameana Puhi (Auckland)

Light Welterweight               Tui Halaangingie Vea (Auckland)

Flyweight                               Ryan Entese (Canterbury)

Jameson Belt - David Nyika

Bill O’Connor Cup - Tui Halaangingie Vea

Elite Female

Heavyweight                          Tyler Rogers (Canterbury)

Light Heavyweight                Che Kenneally (Auckland)

Welterweight                         Deanne Read (Auckland)

Light Welterweight               Cara Wharerau (Kirikiriroa)

Lightweight                            Troy Garton (Shamrock)

Featherweight                       Tegan Burdett-Clarke (Canterbury)

Flyweight                               Holly McMath (Shamrock)

Bobby Johnson Cup - Deanne Read

NZ Boxing Council Cup (Most Scientific Intermediate Boxer) Jesse Hawken (Southland)

WP Sommerville Cup (Most Scientific Junior Boxer) Onyx Lye (Auckland)

Photograph: David Nyika - courtesy of New Zealand Olympic Committee

Article added: Saturday 28 September 2024