(FEB 12) Current New Zealand
National Heavyweight Champion and now ranked 10th in the WBC &
4th on Boxrec, we look at Sarah Long professional boxing
career…. So far.
It is one thing I have to note that in 2016 was an important
year for women’s boxing in New Zealand, especially in the
heavyweight division. Before 2016, it was a very rare thing to
see any New Zealand heavyweight women competing in the pro
ranks. But yet in 2016, there were multiple heavyweight women
boxing bouts including Sarah Long making her debut against
Nailini Helu. This was the 4th heavyweight women’s fight at the
time in a space for 10 years. I would like to say after this
moment, heavyweight women’s boxing really took off in New
Zealand.
Sarah Long took on 3 times New Zealand national amateur champion
Nailini Helu in Sarah’s pro debut but unfortunately lost by
Unanimous Decision. It was an important fight as it was made a
New Zealand title eliminator, which meant the winner gets to go
one and challenge for the vacant New Zealand Heavyweight title.
(Calden Jamieson Photo:
Sarah Long Standing in the corner between rounds against
Cheyenne Whaanga)
Sarah didn’t waste any time and
went straight for another tough challenge by taking on former
New Zealand national amateur champion Cheyenne Whaanga. This was
Cheyenne Whaanga one and only fight. Sarah Long again,
unfortunately, lost the bout by unanimous decision. Yes it
wasn’t a good start to a boxing career with two loses in a row,
but the important thing here is that she learnt a lot in every
fight that she was in and she would use that experience going
forward, which showed in her next fight.
(Calden Jamieson Photo:
Sarah Long Knocking down Tasha Pakai)
Only a couple weeks after her
lose against Cheyenne, Sarah took on a Hamilton boxer named Tash
Pakai. This was also Tash Pakai one and only fight of her
career. Sarah really showed off her experience and displayed how
good of a boxer Sarah really was, including knocking her
opponent down in the second round. Sarah won the fight by
unanimous decision.
(Sarah Long at weigh in
against Geovana Peres)
Now in 2017, Sarah Long had her
first fight of the year against Geovana Peres. This was Geovana
first professional boxing fight of her career. Geovana only had
2 corporate fights and a North Island Golden Gloves amateur
title to her name. But little that we knew at the time, Geovana
went on to learn from this particular fight and become 2 times
New Zealand National champion and of course the first-ever WBO
Light Heavyweight World champion. But forgetting all her
accomplishments of Geovanas career this was Geovana first
professional fight. This was a close fight, but again Sarah
using what she learnt and her previous professional experience
to win the fight by unanimous decision. Sarah became the only
person to win against Geovana Peres making this the biggest win
in Sarah’s career.
Later that year Sarah went on to challenge for the New Zealand
national heavyweight title against Alrie Meleisea, in one of the
best womens fights New Zealand had seen at the time. It was such
a close fight, that there was only one round between the winner
and loser on two of the judge’s scorecards. Unfortunately, Alrie
retained their title, but this won’t be the last time they will
face off.
(Calden Jamieson Photo:
Sarah Long title win over Ashley Campbell)
Originally Sarah Long got a
rematch booked in June 2018 for the New Zealand title against
Alrie Meleisea, however, Alrie pulled out of the fight a week
before the fight happened due to the passing of her mother.
Later in the year, Alrie vacated the title which opened a new
window for Sarah to win the title. Sarah took on Ashley Campbell
for the vacant New Zealand Heavyweight title. Sarah was very
much the better person in the ring, simply outpunching her
opponent and almost winning every round. Sarah won her New
Zealand title after competing in boxing for two years. Her sons
and family members erupted in a massive haka in celebration for
her big victory.
Now we come to her most recent fight, with Sarah having been
away from the ring in almost a year in 2019, taking on Alrie
Meleisea who also haven’t been in the ring for 2 years. The two
boxers went to war but the results ended in controversy as two
of the judges were split by giving all the rounds to each boxer
and the last judge who fairly gave it a draw. This was just
another chapter in the rivalry between Alrie Melesiea and Sarah
Long.
Fast forward to 2021, Sarah is the current New Zealand
Heavyweight champion, ranked 10th in WBC, 4th in Boxrec and the
only person to have defeated World Champion, Geovana Peres. She
is also ranked 6th in IBO, 4th in WIBA, 3rd in WBF, 4th in UBF
and 6th in the Lineal Boxing Champion. We can’t wait to see
Sarah Long back in the ring in 2021.
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