(AUG 10) New Zealand heavyweight
boxer Alrie Meleisea is now ranked 6th in the World Boxing
Association (WBA) world rankings. This is a rarity for New
Zealand boxers to reach this high in the rankings.
Meleisea first came onto the boxing scene in October 2016, where
she took on top 10 ranked at the time Nailini Helu on 48 hours
notice. She shocked the boxing community with a Split Decision
win. Less than two weeks later Meleisea took on Kirsty Lupeamanu
in Hamilton and against with a surprise winning the bout by
unanimous Decision.
Earlier this year Alrie Meleisea took on Nailini Helu in a
rematch for the New Zealand (NZPBA version) & UBF Asia Pacific
female heavyweight titles. The bout was close but again Meleisea
won her first two boxing titles by Split decision.
Since then she has peaked at 4th in the world on boxrec and now
6th with the WBA. This means Meleisea can be considered a
contender for the World title. Currently WBA World title is
vacant, as well as the IBF & WBO world titles, with WBC world
title currently held by Mexican boxer Alejandra Jimenez. Here is
the top 6 boxers in the WBA:
WORLD TITLE: VACANT
1 GWENDOLYN O’NEIL GUY
2 SONIA FOX USA
3 LAURA RAMSEY USA
4 CARMEN GARCIA TOSCANO MEX
5 ANGELICA FLORES MEX
6 ALRIE MELEISEA N.Z.
It is very rare for New Zealand boxers to reach this high in the
World boxing rankings with only boxers like Joseph Parker, Shane
Cameron, David Tua, Kali Meehan, Gentiane Lupi, Daniella Smith,
Michelle Preston and Maselino Masoe to reach this far.