An upset at the Boxing New Zealand National Championships Finals night, came in the first bout of the elite female competition, when Holly McMath defeated Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist and reigning Light Flyweight champion Tasmyn Benny.

With a likely Commonwealth Games nomination on the line, both boxers attacked from the opening bell, with McMath edging her opponent 10-9 on all five judges card in the opening round. The Shamrock Association pugilist took four of the judges nods in the second, going on to win the contest by way of a unanimous decision. 

The fight of the night, was a real barn-burner between Onyx Lye and Rini Porter to decide the Light Heavyweight title. Both boxers launched long-range attacks culminating in hard fought close quarters combat, with Onyx Lye finally prevailing.

Such was the quality of the bout, that Onyx Lye was awarded the most scientific Jameson Belt, with Rini Porter receiving the Parker Memorial Tray given for the best losing performance. Onyx was also presented with the Bill O’Connor Cup, awarded to the youngest senior title holder, becoming just the ninth boxer to win the Jameson Belt/Bill O’Connor Cup double in the same year.

New Zealand representative Wendell Stanley won his first senior title, taking out the re-instated Light Middleweight division, with a classy display against Tawhiri Toheriri-Hallett. The Sommerville Cup, which was last presented to Kahukura Bentson in 2002 before AIBA retired the division, was presented to the Auckland boxer after a scintillating display of the sweet science

Another to impress was Emile Richardson who won the Middleweight prize of the Cleverley Belt. Squaring off with Colton Seymour-Moir, Richardson controlled the fight from the start and was rewarded with all five judges giving him the decision.

Defending Women’s Light Middleweight titleholder Arianne Nicholson had to come from behind to snatch victory, after losing the first stanza, against Auckland’s Mele Ula.  The Auckland boxer had impressed in beating multiple New Zealand champion Cara Wharerau in the semi-finals and was full of action in the opening round.

Nicholson listened to Coach Chris Walker in the interval and got back in the fight in round two. With the title up for grabs in round three, the Bay of Plenty boxer sneaked home to win her third successive 69 kilo crown.

Three other defending Women’s title holders also put their hand for Commonwealth Games selection, in taking out back to back titles. Troy Garton won her fifth successive national crown, with Christine Gillespie and Erin Walsh also earning championship gold medals.

The Super Heavyweight final was one-way traffic, with Roma Crichton ending the encounter in the opening stanza against Sale Oldehaver, with the referee stopping the fight. Failauga Failauga and Ryan Nolan, won the Light Welterweight and Welterweight titles respectively, with both having to work hard to earn split decisions.

Duken Williams won a bruising contest against Justice Michael to take out the first Cruiserweight title, with Afa Mau’u beating Tim Doyle in an all-action Heavyweight final.

2021 Boxing New Zealand National Championship Finals Results

Elite Female

Light Flyweight            Holly McMath (Shamrock)                 df Tasmyn Benny (S/Auckland) unanimous

Bantamweight               Christine Gillespie (Nelson)               df Anna Collie (Well/HV) unan

Featherweight               Erin Walsh (Auckland)                        df Jen Peters (South Auckland) 4-1

Lightweight                   Troy Garton (Shamrock)                    df Baylee MacDonald (Auckland) unam         

L/Middleweight            Arianne Nicholson (BOP)                   df Mele Ula (Auckland) 3-2

Elite Male

L/Welterweight             Failauga Failauga (Hawkes Bay)          df Kheva Potatau (Auckland) 3-1

Welterweight                 Ryan Nolan (Taranaki)                         df Cayden Hope (CNI) 4-1

L/Middleweight            Wendell Stanley (Auckland)                 df Tawhiri Toheriri-Hallett (Shamrock) unan

Middleweight                Emile Richardson (Auckland)              df Colton Seymour-Moir (Kirikiriroa) unam  

L/Heavyweight             Onyx Lye (Manawatu)                          df Rini Porter (Bay of Plenty) unan

Cruiserweight               Duken Williams (CNI)                          df Justice Michael (Auckland) 3-2

Heavyweight                 Afa Mau’u (Shamrock)                         df Tim Doyle (Canterbury) 3-2

S/Heavyweight             Roma Crichton (Auckland)                   df Sale Oldehaver (Whanganui) RSC R1

2021 Boxing New Zealand National Championship Senior Trophies

Jameson Belt                             (Most scientific senior boxer)                 Onyx Lye (Manawatu)

Joe Thwaites Shield                  (Trainer of the James Belt winner)          Billy Meehan

Bill O’Connor Cup                   (Youngest senior titleholder)                   Onyx Lye

Sonny Parker Tray                    (Best losing performance)                       Rini Porter (Bay of Plenty)

Treston Shield                            (Association wins)                                 Shamrock Boxing Association

Earl Stewart Shield                   (Association points)                                 Auckland Boxing Association

Bobby Johnson Cup                  (Most scientific female boxer)                 Christine Gillespie (Nelson)

Tom O’Connor Cup                  (Best female boxer)                                  Mele Ula (Auckland)