The best boxers from the recent North and South Island Golden Gloves, will square off at the Woolston Club in Christchurch on the 3rd and 4th July 2021, to find the New Zealand Golden Gloves Champions.

The first New Zealand Golden Gloves were held in Oamaru in 1985, with entry restricted to the Golden Gloves Intermediate and Junior champions from the North and South. The tournament was later expanded to include all age-group and elite divisions.

Standouts from the first New Zealand Golden Gloves, were Dean Calvert and Jason Eade, who would both go on to earn Boxing New Zealand's biggest prize of the Jameson Belt. The 1988 tournament saw the first glimpse of David Tua, on the big stage, in defeating Jason Schmidt.

The recent introduction of a AIBA directive that boxers must have a minimum of a 12 hour break between bouts, has resulted the tournament extended to a second day, to accommodate semifinals on day one.

Saturday’s evening session will see three elite finals contested. The Elite Women 60kg title decider, matches up South Islands Beulah Paris with 2020 National 60kg runner-up Baylee MacDonald.

Former two-time New Zealand National champion, Leroy Hindley, will face off against South Island representative Joseph Jacob. Hindley, gave current Middleweight New Zealand champion Ryan Scaife a handful to deal with at the North Island Golden Gloves, with Scaife squeezing home courtesy of a 3-2 decision.

Current Super Heavyweight titleholder, Mat Mataikia, re-inked his credentials at the North Island Golden Gloves in defeating Siaki Tu. Mataika will enter the ring in Christchurch to go in to battle with Kana Tupai, who boxes out of the Burnham Boxing Club.

Waiting in the wings on day one, is 2019 Taipei Cup Gold Medalist (and boxer of the tournament) Wendell Stanley, who will fight the winner of the Welterweight semi-final between Dylan Archer and Ryan Nolan.

Another well credentialed boxer who has drawn a direct passage to the title decider is Cayden Hope. The current North Island Golden Gloves champion, will meet the winner of the Light Welterweight semi-final between Christian Tiako and Kheva Patatau.

The Light Heavyweight semi-final, sees Awatea Henry and Casta Lemalie fighting for a berth to square off with Sahkidad Ghazizada in the title decider.

New Zealand Golden Gloves Elite Senior Divisions

Elite Male Finals

Middleweight – Joseph Jacob (South Island) v Leroy Hindley (North Island)

S/Heavyweight – Kana Tupai (South Island) v Matt Mataika (North Island)

Elite Female Finals

60kg – Beulah Paris (South Island) v Baylee MacDonald (North Island)

Elite Male Semi-Finals

L/Welterweight – Christian Tiako (South Island) v Kheva Patatau (North Island)

Winner to meet Cayden Hope (North Island)

Welterweight – Dylan Archer (South Island) v Ryan Nolan (North Island)

Winner to meet Wendell Stanley (North Island)

Light Heavyweight – Awatea Henry (South Island) v Casta Lemalie (North Island)

Winner to meet Sahkidad Ghazizada (South Island)

Article added: Thursday 01 July 2021