(JULY 1) The owner of the
Auckland New Zealand Boxing Gym "Boxing Central", Dean Kyle
Evans, has sent the boxing community into whiplash with comments
made against Gay boxing judge, Benjamin Thomas Watt.
Benjamin Watt is well known for his volunteer services in both
LGBT and Boxing communities, from boxing judging, article
writing, rainbow advocacy in boxing, event works, Youtube
videos, general promotion of the sport, and his eight years of
service record-keeping on Boxrec.com. Benjamin is also the
president of the recently launched Rainbow Boxing New Zealand
non-profit organisation, focused on advocating and providing
safe spaces for the Rainbow boxing community.
Dean Evans, who was not happy with Benjamins record-keeping,
contacted Ben. Ben has stated that Dean was abusive towards Ben.
Dean had demanded that Ben “fix the situation”. Benjamin said he
attempted to defuse the situation and requested further
information in order to address Dean’s concerns. Dean refused to
provide information and stated, “sort it out”. After the call,
Benjamin was noted to have said that he was a volunteer for
Boxrec, with good intentions and a willingness to improve. He
felt the way volunteers were being treated should be better.
Dean Evans replied with “Maybe stop volunteering. You (sic)
doing a shit job. !! For these boxers who try their best (bigger
effort than you) to see such a fuck up is worse than me talking
straight up to you. Stop being such a pissy (sic) boxing is for
men. Maybe volunteer at the netball.”
Since the comments have been made, multiple people have left
"Boxing Central" Boxing Gym as paid gym members. Ardon England,
who ran self-defence classes and a beginners course for the LGBT
community, also left "Boxing Central" gym. Other trainers at the
gym have been acknowledged as admitting that they felt
embarrassed about the comments made by Dean. However, some feel
they can not leave the gym as this is their full-time job. Not
many other gyms are looking for boxing trainers in Auckland New
Zealand. Dean Evans, who is originally from South Africa,
started the boxing gym in 2001. Dean has a history of alcohol
abuse and violent behaviour. It appears no accountability is
placed around his actions in both his professional and private
life.
Boxing New Zealand is in charge of all of the amateur boxing in
New Zealand. They are the deciders on which boxers go to both
the commonwealth and Olympics games. Boxing New Zealand is
currently under a lot of pressure to do something regarding the
comments made against Benjamin. This is because Boxing New
Zealand recently stated that they have been trying to create a
more diverse image of the organisation, and this statement is
being put to the test. Boxing New Zealand has also been
attempting to become affiliated with the Ministry of Sport and
get more funding for its athletes. However, the lack of
diversity within the organisation has made it more difficult for
the organisation to gather more funding. We will have to watch
this space to see how the organisation responds.
President of Boxing New Zealand Steve Hartly has said to
Benjamin, “This is completely unacceptable. His rant about
the boxer’s records is pathetic, but the most concerning thing
is his comment to you stating “boxing is for men” and to maybe
volunteer for netball. Boxing NZ will not accept such behaviour
and will take this seriously. Our sport is inclusive for all,
his statement is homophobic and not in keeping with what we
expect from our members. I will be discussing this with others
and will include you in any decision regarding this.”
Currently, Dean Evans is training Season 2, ‘The Bachelorette’
finalist Todd Dialectos. It is unknown if Todd is aware of the
comments made by Dean. However, Todd is scheduled to compete on
the July 23rd televised boxing event at Sky City Theatre, P3
Promotions Friday night fights. It will be interesting to see if
someone like Todd, who is in the public eye, will find this
acceptable or will enable this sort of toxic behaviour by
remaining silent on the issue.
Nick Randell of P3 Promotions is aware of the comments that Dean
Evans made, however, he has refused to remove Deans boxer due to
the number of ticket sales that both Dean and Todd have made.
Benjamin Watt generally is the Backstage manager for the P3
Promotions event, however, Benjamin has since been removed as
the backstage management role. Benjamin stated he would not work
at any event that is associated with someone who is sexist or
homophobic. He also feels that any inaction from the
organisation is aligning themselves with Dean’s views and
attitudes.
It is also controversial that Dean Evans is training a corporate
boxer after stating that he will never train corporate boxers
again after the 2018 event where a boxer got seriously hurt
after only having six weeks of training. Dean said he would only
train amateur boxing from that moment onwards.
Since the comments were made, multiple well-known boxers have
come out in support of Benjamin, including:
Former top 10 world-ranked Boxer Gunnar Jackson - “Benji don’t
let that tosser get to ya mate. Keep up your good work champ.
Send him my way if he keeps bothering you. What a clown.”
World title Boxing contender Lani Daniels - “haters gonna hate
keep up the good mahi mate or should I say cuz, hehe”
Professional Boxer Nort Beauchamp - “You’re doing a Great job
mate. This guy has problems, never mind him”
Retired Boxer Sam Rapira - “You’re doing fine my bro. FOCK dis
guy”
First ever New Zealand born LGBT boxer Diane Beazley - “Sounds
like a very depressed human.ignore him mate your doing an
amazing job.as for the comment that boxing is for men.....
arrogant opinion by all means. much respect B”
Professional boxer Dylan Wright - “That’s disgusting. He must be
perfect to be talking someone down like that. Needs to learn how
to be a leader not a boss”
Professional boxer Thomas Russell - “Your doing a good job bro..
thanks for all your hard work🙏❤”
Boxing Trainer of Wreckroom Tristan Mondala has stated that
since the LGBT community no longer can feel safe at "Boxing
Central", he will create his own LGBT boxing class at the
Wreckroom so that people who want to practice boxing has a safe
place to train.
[Dean Kyle Evans is welcome to respond to this article submitted
by Benjamin Watt, and can email us at wban100@aol.com]
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