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New Zealand Professional Boxing Association

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New Zealand Professional Boxing Association
SportProfessional boxing
JurisdictionNew Zealand
AbbreviationNZPBA
Founded1966 (1966)
AffiliationWorld Boxing Association
World Boxing Council
International Boxing Federation
World Boxing Organisation
World Boxing Federation
Commonwealth Boxing Council
Australian National Boxing Federation
PresidentKevin Pyne
Vice president(s)1st John Conway
2nd David Kettle
SecretaryFiona Moore
New Zealand

New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA) is one of the four governing bodies for the sport of professional boxing in New Zealand. NZPBA is a non-profit organisation.

History

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The body was founded as South Pacific Boxing Association, with the name changed to New Zealand Professional Boxing Association Inc. in 1984 at its AGM. The new name was greeted and accepted by the World Bodies and Commonwealth Boxing Council.[1]

In 2006, NZPBA had its first female national champion with Daniella Smith defeating Sue Glassey for the super welterweight title. Smith is New Zealand's second professional national champion.

In April 2016, NZPBA sanctioned New Zealand's first major world title fight (from one of the four major sanctioning bodies) for the WBC female middleweight title with Kali Reis defeating Maricela Cornejo by split decision. The fight night also featured two of New Zealand's first WBC Silver title fights with Melissa St. Vil defeating Baby Nansen and Ronica Jeffrey defeating Gentiane Lupi. On the same night, NZPBA had New Zealand's first female professional boxing referee, with Shelley Ashton officiating Nailini Helu vs. Kirsty Lupeamanu.

Controversy

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Former NZPBA President Lance Revill is known for sharing his opinions with New Zealand's local media, causing major scrutiny to the association. He drew particular attention for his comments directed at Joseph Parker. Since the beginning of Parker's career, Revill has made regular comments about Parker, including when he turned pro,[2] alleging that Parker's promoters were only interested in money,[3] that Parker was too hyped up[4] and that Parker didn't win his world title fight in December 2016.[5] In February 2017, it was announced that due to backlash against his comments against Parker, Revill resigned as president of NZPBA. Vice President John Conway was named interim president.[6]

In 2018, NZPBA officiated a corporate boxing event in Christchurch in November where first-time corporate boxer Kain Parsons was knocked unconscious. Kain Parsons was taken to Christchurch Hospital's intensive care unit, but he died four days later after the event.[7] The vice president of the organisation at the time, Kevin Pyne, was the referee of the fight.[8] Former NZPBA President Lance Revill stated that he believed the fight should have been stopped earlier.[9] In 2019, Kevin Pyne was elected president of NZPBA, despite being the referee of the fight.[citation needed]

Current roles

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Board members

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President: Kevin Pyne

Vice President: 1st John Conway, 2nd David Kettle

National Secretary: Fiona Moore

National Treasurer: Pat Leonard

Webmaster: Raylyne Siaosi and Kendall Cooper

Doctors: David Renata & Shaaren Jacobs

Regional representatives

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Northland & Auckland: Jo Gallagher and Mal Siaosi

Bay of Plenty & Waikato: Bob Mitchell

Manawatu & East/West Coast: Shelley Ashton

Wellington Supervisor: Ian Scott

South Island Supervisor: Paul Fitzimmons

Current national champions

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Men

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Weight class: NZPBA Champion: NZPBA Reign began:
Heavyweight Junior Fa 18 March 2017
Cruiserweight Asher Derbyshire[10] 29 April 2016
Light-heavyweight Vacant —
Super-middleweight Jonathan Taylor 12 November 2016
Middleweight Vacant —
Super-welterweight Bowyn Morgan 22 June 2018
Welterweight Vacant —
Super-lightweight Vacant —
Lightweight Nort Beauchamp 4 May 2019

Women

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Weight class: NZPBA Champion: NZPBA Reign began:
Heavyweight Sarah Long 13 October 2018
Light-heavyweight Lani Daniels 18 November 2017
Super-welterweight Daniella Smith[11] 6 May 2006
Welterweight Daniella Smith[12] 13 December 2008
Lightweight Mea Motu 26 March 2021
Super-featherweight Rebecca Jennings 10 September 2016
Bantamweight Christine Gillespie 2 November 2024

Current provincial champions

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NZPBA Central title

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Heavyweight Men

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Name Beginning of Reign Opponent Defences
Kiki Toa Leutele 6 October 2018 Thomas Russell 0

Middleweight Men

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Name Beginning of Reign Opponent Defences
Gunnar Jackson 24 November 2018 Blake Bell 0

Boxing and Wrestling Act 1981

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Main article: Boxing and Wrestling Act 1981

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Watt, Benjamin (5 June 2009). "NZPBA Talks about History". New Zealand Fighter. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  2. ^ McKendry, Patrick (16 May 2012). "Boxing: Revill steals limelight at Parker press conference". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  3. ^ McKendry, Patrick (9 May 2014). "Boxing: Revill hits out at fight promoters". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  4. ^ Knowler, Richard (10 December 2014). "Old heads warn against Joseph Parker hype". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  5. ^ "NZ boxing boss Lance Revill: It's bulls****, Joseph Parker didn't win". New Zealand Herald. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  6. ^ McKendry, Patrick (11 December 2016). "Boxing: Lance Revill quits NZPBA post due to Joseph Parker fight backlash". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  7. ^ Northcott, Maddison (7 November 2018). "Fight for Christchurch boxer Kain Parsons dies after charity match". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  8. ^ Dillane, Tom (9 December 2018). "We were all deeply gutted' - referee in fatal Christchurch boxing match speaks". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  9. ^ Mead, Thomas (5 November 2018). "Ref should've called it off': NZ boxing great urges change after charity fight left boxer critical". Newshub. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Wellington Big Bash - Fight 11". Youtube. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  11. ^ "Daniella Smith". WBAN. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  12. ^ "Daniella Smith retains NZ Welterweight Title". Fight Times. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
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