(JAN 4, 2024) Since the tradition began in 2019, Benjamin Thomas Watt created
his own recognition awards for the boxing community. This year,
Benji returned the voting portion of the awards as it became too
difficult to choose boxer of the year as we can have a four-way
tie between Joseph Parker, Jerome Pampellone, Mea Motu and Lani
Daniels.
Hall of Fame Posthumous
In 2019, the New Zealand Boxing Awards, which at the time was
done with a collaboration between Gladrap Channel and Benji, did
the one and only Hall of Fame. For the first time since 2019, We
will be inducting more people into the Hall of Fame. 2023 was
one of the hardest years for New Zealand boxing, as we lost some
amazing people. To honour them all, we will induct them into the
2023 Hall of Fame.
Jim Comp - Referee/Judge
Chris Martin - Trainer
Ina Schuster - Referee/Judge/Boxer
Dr John McKay - Contributions to all forms of the sport of
boxing
Most entertaining boxer of the year
Mea Motu
For the second year in a row, Mea Motu is awarded the most
entertaining boxer of the year. Since becoming a world champion,
she has become one of the most entertaining personalities of
boxing. We see her across social media interacting with some of
New Zealand's best comedians, creating a masterpiece of TikTok
material.
Event of the year
D&L Events in Whangarei 2nd of December
This was a special night for Te Tai Tokerau, with three
Northland women boxers competing on the same card and two world
title fights. It was a sell-out crowd with promoter had to
extend the seating plan just to add more people to the venue. It
was history, with the first-ever televised fight night in
Northland.
Non-boxer of the year
Alina Peach
Yes, I know she fought as an amateur boxer in the past. However,
this is not what this award is about. Alina is one of the
busiest women in New Zealand boxing today. She ensures the Peach
Boxing ship stays afloat; she is always on the run, co-promoting
& co-training with Isaac Peach, helping organise the D & L
Events PPV shows, and being a mother of four.
Commentator of the year
Dale Husband
Dale Husband wins Commentator of the Year for the third time in
this category. He first won the award in 2020 after making his
TV debut as a boxing commentator. This year, he returned with
amazing insight into PPV boxing.
MC of the year
Lt Dan Hennessy
Lt Dan has returned to New Zealand, and once again, he is super
busy. Now residing in Auckland, he flies in and out of Australia
for the big shows and continuously MCs in all combat sports
across New Zealand.
Official of the year
Ian Scott
Ian Scott is one of Wellington's most respected officials in the
professional boxing scene. This year, he has judged 3 World
title fights in 2023 alone. Before 2023, he had already
officiated 10 world titles, making 2023 his career highlight.
Champion of the year
Joseph Parker - WBO & IBF Intercontinental & WBC International
Heavyweight champion
You have to admit this is one of Joseph Parker's best years of
his entire career, winning three major titles, including the WBC
International title, which David Tua once held himself.
New Zealand National Champion of the Year
Francis Waitai - Pro Box NZ Super Middleweight title
Francis Waitai has consistently defended his New Zealand title
every year since winning it in his second fight in 2020.
Knockout Artist of the Year
Jerome Pampellone
Usually, we would have Knockout of the year. However, Jerome
Pampellone has fought three times this year, with all three
fights ending with a first-round knockout. All fights against
recognised international opponents. He has become a knockout
artist and is too good for his division.
New Zealand Fight of the Year
Lani Daniels vs Alrie Meleisea for vacant IBF World Heavyweight
title
This was one excellent fight, with Lani Daniels fighting her
career-defining fight, winning the IBF World title against Alrie
Meleisea. This was making history with the first world title
fight between two New Zealand-born boxers, the first world title
fight between Maori vs. Samoa and the first ever IBF World
Heavyweight title.
International Fight of the Year
Joseph Parker vs Deontay Wilder
This was truly the best fight of 2023. Joseph Parker needed to
fight his perfect fight to win against Wilder, and he did. He
shocked the world and disrupted many future plans for any other
fight between Wilder and AJ. Parker is now ranked the highest he
has ever been on Boxrec.
New Promoter Fight of the Year
Lui Teo
Lui Teo is one of the few new promoters in 2023, with the main
event between Bronze medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games
Uila Mau'u and former UFC fighter Ben Sosoli.
Promoter of the year
D&L Events
Dean and Liam Lonergan have brought full-time PPV Boxing back to
New Zealand, hosting three PPV shows across 2023. It is always a
huge financial risk putting on a televised show, let alone shows
with two world titles on each show.
Trainer of the year
Isaac Peach
Isaac Peach has been nominated for the 2023 Coach of the Year at
the Halberg Awards which he certainly earns it. Not only does he
have a full stable of amateur boxers who have consistently won
at the New Zealand national amateur boxing championships, but
This year has been busy for Peach. David Light in a world title
fight in London, Mea Motu winning the IBO World title in April,
Jerome Pampellone with three fights ending in the first round
knock out wins, Erin Walsh's pro debut, Zain Adams who is New
Zealand's best Flyweight of all time, Kiki Toa Leutele winning
his first NZ title, Amato Mataika extending his pro record and
Andrei Mikhailovich waiting patiently for his world title fight.
Returning Male Boxer of the year
Richard Tutaki
Richard Tutaki made his pro debut in 2002 making his
professional boxing career 22 years long. He is 45 years old,
and he has not had a fight since 2016. He made his in ring
return to take on Junior Pati for the New Zealand National (PBCNZ
version) Heavyweight & WBC Australasian silver Heavyweight
titles and won by stoppage. With this win, he won his first two
titles of his career.
Female Newcomer of the year
Macca Jean
Macca Jean made history by competing in New Zealand's first
female fight with 3-minute rounds and winning the New Zealand
national (Pro Box Nz version) title.
Male Newcomer of the year
Zain Adams
Zain Adams has had a busy 2023 with an undefeated streak of five
fights. Already he has become New Zealand's best Flyweight of
all time.
Debut of the year
Zain Adams
In his first fight, he took on undefeated Fiji boxer Shalvin
Chand. Adams made quick work with him, forcing Shalvin Chand to
the floor with body shots, making an excellent debut to his
career.
Gym of the year
Peach Boxing
It is a tradition that the Gym of the year goes to the gym with
the most awards. Of Course, four years in a row, Peach boxing
won the Gym of the year.
Amateur Boxer of the Year
Sheilla Yama
Amateur Boxer of the Year has always been one of the most
debated awards from the New Zealand boxing awards. Some people
don’t believe I always get it right. This year, I have focused
on the overall picture. Sheilla Yama was the only New Zealander
to win Gold at the 2023 Pacific Games. Even though she did not
win it in a typical Olympic weight division, there are talks
that she might still get a golden ticket to the Olympics.
Female Boxer of the Year
Mea Motu
Read on to see an explanation.
Male Boxer of the Year
Joseph Parker
As stated before, Joseph Parker has had one of the most
impressive years of his career. He returned in January to battle
his anxiety after being KOed by Joe Joyce in 2022. But after
that fight, something changed in Parker, and we see a new
version of him. We then see highlight reel after reel when he
fought in Australia against Faiga Opelu and then Simon Kean in
Saudi Arabia. But what we all are talking about currently is the
biggest fight of his career where he won against Deontay Wilder.
Honourable Mentions and Highlights for 2023
Floyd Masson - Winning the IBO World Cruiserweight title
Cherneka Johnson - former IBF World Super Bantamweight title
David Light - WBO World title contender
Daniella Smith - Getting awarded the International Women's Hall
of Fame
Michelle Preston - WBA Oceania title
Boxer of the year
Mea Motu
This was the hardest decision that I had ever made in the ways
of Boxer of the year. Many people might disagree, but you must
hear me out. Before I explain it, I did give the people the
vote, and Mea Motu got a massive majority.
Mea Motu won her world title in April 2023, not only with Asthma
but also with broken ribs. She successfully defended her world
title after dislocating her shoulder in the first round, which
she popped back in herself and continued to fight to win. That
is amazing, as I have seen many men tapp out as soon as it comes
out.
When you look for a champion, you want them to be champions
inside and outside the ring. This year, she became an ambassador
for the charity I Am Hope, and she continues to advocate for
looking after children's mental health. On top of that, she is a
fantastic role model for everyone, especially for children and
women.
She also tells her story across New Zealand and inspires
everyone that there is life after experiencing trauma and anyone
can achieve their goals like she did when she became a world
champion.
For the third time, Mea Motu wins Boxer of the Year not only for
her work in the ring but also her work outside the ring.
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