(DEC 20) New Zealand made a
statement in New Zealand boxing in 2022 with five women in the
top 10 sanctioning bodies. With so much happening and with great
moments nationally and internationally. We have compiled the top
ten best moments of women boxing in 2022.
First the listed honourable mentions
Mea Motu Knockout Thailand boxer
Tricia MacKenzie's stoppage win in her second fight
Nicila Costello Wins the Australian title in Knockout fashion
Cherneka Johnson becomes World Champion
Cherneka Johnson becomes for Maori World champion to
successfully defend the title
10-Michelle Preston Makes her return
Before this year, we last saw Michelle Preston in a boxing ring
in December 2016 when she was for the IBF World Super Flyweight
title in Argentina against Debora Anahi Dionicius. After that,
in November 2017 she fought in Muay Thai for the Women's World
WBC Muay Thai Super Flyweight Title against Greek fighter Fani
Peloumpi in New Zealand. After that fight, she announced her
retirement from Combat Sports.
Five years later, Michelle Preston return to the boxing ring to
fight multiple-time New Zealand amateur champion Holly McMath.
The fight was close but Preston edged it with a Split Decision
win. People called it a controversial victory as some believe
McMath won. However, Preston got the win and went on to do
bigger and better fights.
9-The return of Nailini Helu
Last time we saw The Tongan Goddess Nailini Helu was in 2018
when she took on Lani Daniels for her third unsuccessful New
Zealand title. Four years later, Nailini Helu returns to the
boxing ring with many changes in her boxing career. Fighting in
a different weight division, going back to her amateur trainer
Master Lollo and now becoming champion. Nailini Helu made her
return to take on Tanita Smith for the South Pacific (PBCNZ
version) Super Middleweight title. For the first time since her
debut in 2016, she finally got her title belt winning by
majority decision. You can see this fight on CSN.
8-Return on Lani Daniels, taking on Sequita Hemingway
Last time we saw Lani Daniels was in October 2019, when she came
off consecutive draws against Tessa Tualevao. After three years
of being away from the ring, Lani Daniels makes her return
against Professional Rugby Player Sequita Hemingway.
Sequita Hemingway herself already making a name for herself in
New Zealand boxing after a massive victory over World-ranked
Alrie Meleisea in 2021 on her debut.
Despite Hemingway having the height and reach advantage, it was
Lani Daniels experience that got her the win by Unanimous
decision, putting her back on track for future world title
challenges. You can see this fight on CSN.
7-Michelle Preston vs Nicila
Costello
This was one epic fight, which won New Zealand Fight Of The
Year. This was so amazing in so many ways. First WBA Oceania
title fight in seven years, the first time New Zealand-born
Nicila Costello fought in New Zealand, and the winner received a
big rankings boost. You can see this fight on CSN. Preston took
home the win by Unanimous decision with her instantly receiving
a rankings boost in the WBA.
6-Mea Motu vs Baby Nansen
It's not often New Zealand has what we call Super Fights in New
Zealand. Only a couple comes to mind, David Tua vs Shane
Cameron, Joseph Parker vs Junior Fa, Robert Berridge vs Adrian
Taihia. The idea of these super fights making massive main
events when you this the idea of the fight is mouth-watering.
The only time New Zealand really had a womens Super fight was
between Daniella Smith and Gentiane Lupi in their rematch.
I would say this year's Super Fight would be between former WBC
World-ranked, veteran of all combat sports Baby Nansen, taking
on the next big thing Mea Motu. You can see this fight on CSN.
This was for a New Zealand title fight with the victory going to
Mea Motu who extended her record-breaking fourth New Zealand
title.
5 Lani Daniels ranked number 1 in the world after the New
Zealand title fight
In her second fight back, Lani Daniels took on New Zealand
Amateur Champion Tinta Smith for Smith's debut for the New
Zealand title. The fight was incredibly close which shows how
good Tinta Smith was, but Lani Daniels go to walk away with her
Third New Zealand title.
After this win, Lani Daniels got an incredible ranking boost,
being ranked 1st in the WBC and 2nd in the WBA, putting herself
in line for a world title shot. But now we wait for the perfect
opponent.
4-Alrie Meleisea Becomes New Zealand Champion again
It has been 17 months since the fight between Alrie Meleisea and
Sequita Hemingway with Hemingway taking home a shocking victory
in 2021. The rematch had so much on the line, not only for the
New Zealand title but also for a World title shot on the line
for the winner. After eight rounds at North Shore Event Centre,
Alrie Meleisea won the fight taking home the second New Zealand
title of her career. This also meant she receives a massive win
as Hemingway was ranked 3rd in the WBA.
After the fight, Alrie Meleisea said she would take on Lani
Daniels for a World title “Anytime, Anywhere, Anyplace, let's
get it on”.
3-Michelle Preston Ranked Number 2
in the world
In September 2022, Preston took on Phannaluk Kongsang for the
WBA International Super Flyweight title at formerly known as
North Shore Events Centre, now called Eventfinda Stadium.
Preston won the fight by unanimous decision. But it was after
the fight that the biggest news. Not only won her second major
WBA regional title but received a ranking of 2nd in the WBA,
putting her in position for a WBA World title shot.
2Mea Motu ranked 2nd IBF after Dubai fight
You might think this was the number one moment for New Zealand
women's boxing, but I will come to that in a moment why number
one is number one.
In November, Mea Motu fought for the first time international
for her first international title. She took on Iran boxer
Nastaran Fathi for the WBC ABCO Continental title.
Which in English the Asian Boxing Council is a WBC regional
title (also known as the Asia title) with a three-tier title.
Three tiers are the full ABCO title, the ABCO Continetal title
and the ABCO Silver title.
The fight was one epic international fight Mea walking away with
multiple awards. First a massive cut over her right eye, a Split
Decision win, the WBC title and the promoter's best fight of the
night award. After the Fight, Mea Motu receive a ranking of
second in the IBF, putting herself in world title contention,
making her the third New Zealander this year who could possibly
go for a New Zealand title in 2023.
1 Mea Motu beats 14-year record
In 2008, Daniella Smith became the first female to win two New
Zealand titles. Multiple New Zealand women have matched that
record over the years including retired WBO World Light
Heavyweight champion Geovana Peres, former World title contender
Lani Daniels and most recently former world-ranked boxer Alrie
Meleisea.
Not only did Mea Motu beat the 14-year record, but she also set
the record with four New Zealand titles in four different weight
divisions. The First New Zealand title as seen in the photo
above was the NZPBA Lightweight title, won by third-round
stoppage in March 2021 against Australasian champion Tania Reid.
The second title was the PBCNZ Super Lightweight title in July
2021 against former New Zealand Champion Michaela Jenkins by
Unanimous Decision. The third title which was the
record-breaking title fight was a first-round knockout for the
PBCNZ Featherweight title against Ayisha Abied. And finally, the
title fight which I call the Super Fight and now the
record-setting title. Winning the PBCNZ Super Featherweight
title against former World ranked boxer Baby Nansen.
Mea Motu also added a PBCNZ International Featherweight title to
her collection as well as the WBC Asia Continental Super
Bantamweight title, with a full collection of six titles since
debuting in 2020 in 15 fights.
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