(FEB 8) Three-time New
Zealand national amateur boxing champion Christine Gillespie
will be making her professional boxing debut for the New Zealand
national (NZPBA version) Bantamweight title against amateur
rival Anna Collie on March 23rd in Porirua.
This title fight will be history in the making as no one has won
the New Zealand national Bantamweight title since 1948 when Lyn
Philp won the title before retiring in 1954. There have only
been eight New Zealand bantamweight champions in history,
however, there has never been a female New Zealand bantamweight
champion, making this a historical fight.
33-year-old Christine Gillespie
will be making her professional boxing debut after a
well-credential amateur boxing career. In her amateur career,
she has won the New Zealand national title three years in a row
in the elite division between 2020 - 2022. She has won multiple
Golden Gloves titles including the Australian Golden Gloves in
2023.
Gillespie has represented New Zealand in major world tournaments
including the 2023 India IBA Women's World Boxing Championships,
winning the Bronze medal at the 2023 Solomon Islands Pacific
Games and multiple Australian tournaments.
She has fought some of the best amateur boxers in the world
including the 2018 Australian Commonwealth Games Bronze medalist
Tasmyn Benny, Australian boxer Tiana Echegaray who is qualified
for the 2024 Olympics, New Zealand highest ranked female boxer
Erin Walsh and many more.
Gillespie will be taking on long-time rival Anna Collie.
According to boxrec, the two have fought three times in their
amateur career with Gillespie winning twice out of the three
fights. All three fights were in the finals of a tournament with
Gillespie winning the national titles and Collie's win for the
Wellington regional title.
Gillespie has more international experience on her side as well
as an extra win over Collie, which could give Gillespie an edge
in this fight.
The two were meant to fight for the New Zealand professional
boxing title at the end of last year, however, the promoter
“Golden Horse Promotions” abruptly cancelled the fight without
reason. Thankfully a new promoter “RAZOR Promotions” has put the
fight on.
Anna Collie being from Wellington will have the hometown
advantage coming into this fight. In her amateur career, she has
won multiple Golden Gloves titles and Wellington Regional
titles. She has reached the finals twice at the New Zealand
national championships with both times losing to Gillespie.
d the boxing later in her life,
with her fighting her fight boxing fight at the age of 33. Now
she enters the professional boxing scene in her early 40s. A lot
of other female boxers who began later in their career have had
success.
There are two important names to her amateur boxing resume. She
has fought Tasmyn Benny three times in her career with the most
recent fight in December 2022. The other name is Alina Peach who
alongside her husband Isaac Peach, is one of the best trainers
in New Zealand today.
Collie comes in with another advantage over Gillespie. Collie
made her professional boxing debut in August 2023 in Porirua
against Sarah Linton. Collie won the fight by Unanimous
Decision. Collie now with experience in professional boxing
could give her an edge.
Christine Gillespie vs Anna Collie for the vacant New Zealand
national (NZPBA version) Bantamweight title will happen on the
23rd of March at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua. Tickets are on
sale now at
https://tickets.ticketspace.co.nz/tickets/rumble-muay-thai-kickboxing-and-boxing
The New Zealand title will main event a full combat sports card,
which will showcase MMA, Muay Thai, Corporate boxing and
professional boxing, featuring fights from Adam Manisy, Anna
Collie, Nasser Tato, Zion Perry and more.
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