New Zealand Professional Boxing Association

New Zealand Professional Boxing Association
Sport Professional boxing
Jurisdiction New Zealand
Abbreviation NZPBA
Founded 1966 (1966)
Affiliation World Boxing Association
World Boxing Council
International Boxing Federation
World Boxing Organisation
World Boxing Federation
Universal Boxing Federation
Commonwealth Boxing Council
Australian National Boxing Federation
President Pat Leonard
Vice president 1st John Conway
2nd Kevin Pyne
Secretary Tui Gallagher
Official website
nzpba.weebly.com
New Zealand

New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA) is one of the two major governing bodies for the sport of professional boxing in New Zealand. NZPBA is a non-profit organisation.

History

The Body was founded as South Pacific Boxing Association, with the name changed to New Zealand Professional Boxing Association inc in 1984 at their AGM. The new name was greeted and accepted by the World Bodies and Commonwealth Boxing Council.[1]

In 2006, NZPBA had their first female national champion with Daniella Smith defeating Sue Glassey for the Super Welterweight title. Smith is New Zealand's second professional National Champion.

In 2015, NZPBA had the first ever openly gay judge in the world train and officiate with the association. Benjamin Thomas Watt is now a well respected and an active member in the association.[2]

In April 2016, NZPBAssn sanctioned New Zealand's first major World Title fight (from one of the four major sanctioning bodies) for the WBC female World Middleweight Title with Kali Reis defeating Maricela Cornejo by split decision. The fight night also featured New Zealands two of New Zealand's first WBC Silver title fights with Melissa St. Vil defeating Baby Nansen and Ronica Jeffrey defeating Gentiane Lupi. On the same night, NZPBA had New Zealand's first female professional boxing referee, with Shelley Ashton officiating Nailini Helu vs Kirsty Lupeamanu.

Controversy

Former NZPBA President Lance Revill, is well known to stating his opinion to New Zealand's local media, causing major scrutiny to the association. Most recently, his comments were more directed at Joseph Parker. Since the beginning of Parker's career, Revill has made regular comments about Parker including when he turned pro,[3] Parker's promoters only being interested in money,[4] Parker being too hyped up[5] and his believe that Parker didn't win his world title fight in December 2016.[6] In February 2017, it was announced that due to the backlash of his comments against Parker, Revill resigned as president of NZPBA. Vise President John Conway was named interim President.[7]

In 2009, Revill was seen in an intense argument with the opposing Commissioning Body, Gary McCrystal president of New Zealand National Boxing Federation. The argument took place immediately after an event that the NZNBF was commissioning with Lance Revill ring being hired by the promoter. Both presidents called each other an embarrassment of the sport.[8]

Current roles

Board members

President: Pat Leonard

Vise President: 1st John Conway, 2nd Kevin Pyne

National Secretary: Tui Gallagher

National Treasurer: Pat Leonard

Webmaster: Benjamin Thomas Watt

Doctors: David Renata & Shaaren Jacobs

Regional Representatives

Northland: Tui Gallagher

Auckland: Adrian Bently

Bay of Plenty & Waikato: Danny Enright

Manawatu & East/West Coast: Shelley Ashton

Wellington Supervisor: Ian Scott

South Island Supervisor: Kevin Pyne

Current champions

Men

Weight class: NZPBA Champion: NZPBA Reign began:
Heavyweight Junior Fa 18 March 2017
Cruiserweight Asher Derbyshire[9] 29 April 2016
Light Heavyweight Vacant —
Super Middleweight Jonathan Taylor 12 November 2016
Middleweight Mose Auimatagi Jr 1 July 2016
Super Welterweight Shay Brock 28 April 2017
Welterweight Vacant —
Super Lightweight Vacant —

Female

Weight class: NZPBA Champion: NZPBA Reign began:
Heavyweight Alrie Meleisea 10 March 2017
Super Welterweight Daniella Smith[10] 6 May 2006
Welterweight Daniella Smith[11] 13 December 2008
Lightweight Gentiane Lupi[12] 13 December 2014
Super Featherweight Rebecca Jennings 10 September 2016

See also

References

  1. ↑ Watt, Benjamin (5 June 2009). "NZPBA Talks about History". New Zealand Fighter. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  2. ↑ "Kiwi world’s first openly-gay boxing judge". GAY NZ News. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  3. ↑ McKendry, Patrick (16 May 2012). "Boxing: Revill steals limelight at Parker press conference". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  4. ↑ McKendry, Patrick (9 May 2014). "Boxing: Revill hits out at fight promoters". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  5. ↑ Knowler, Richard (10 December 2014). "Old heads warn against Joseph Parker hype". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "NZ boxing boss Lance Revill: It's bulls****, Joseph Parker didn't win". New Zealand Herald. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  7. ↑ McKendry, Patrick (11 December 2016). "Boxing: Lance Revill quits NZPBA post due to Joseph Parker fight backlash". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  8. ↑ Lloyd, Johnny (14 May 2009). "NZ Boxing Heads of Rival Bodies in Ringside Argument". New Zealand Fight Times. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  9. ↑ "Wellington Big Bash - Fight 11". Youtube. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  10. ↑ "Daniella Smith". WBAN. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "Daniella Smith retains NZ Welterweight Title". Fight Times. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
  12. ↑ "Whawhai, Series 1 Episode 2". Maori TV. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
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