Double Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist David Nyika (Auckland), confirmed his status as the best amateur pugilist at the Boxing New Zealand National Championships held in Christchurch 3-6 October 2018, when he was awarded the prestigious Jameson Belt.

The Jameson Belt which dates back to 1927, is awarded at each National Championships to the most scientific senior male boxer. Nyika became just the second heavyweight to win the Nationals big prize following on from Shane Cameron in 2001.

Boxing in the Auckland Boxing Association singlet, the dual Commonwealth Games champion took his second heavyweight title, stopping Canterbury’s Trevor Swainson in round two. Nyika spent less than three rounds in the ring during the Christchurch championship, with the referee waving the contest over in both bouts.

Three male and female boxers apiece, retained their titles that they won at the 2017 National Championships in Rotorua. The Flyweight rematch was an all-action contest, with local favourite Ryan Entese again edging 2015 titleholder Ivan Pavich (Waikato) in the final, taking out another split decision.

Ryan Scaife (Wellington/Hutt Valley) also went back to back in the Middleweight class with a 4-1 majority victory, over Saili Fiso (Central Hawkes Bay) Sam Watt won his third successive New Zealand Super Heavyweight title, when he defeated Siaki Tukino (Auckland) 4-0, which gave the Canterbury boxer his fifth New Zealand senior crown.

The Light Heavyweight clash between defending titleholder Sunny Teki-Clark (Canterbury) and Jerome Pampellone (Auckland), was a barnburner that had the crowd on its feet, before the Auckland boxer received a hard-fought unanimous decision.

Light Welterweight Sam Burdett-Clarke (Canterbury), had to settle for the silver medal for the second year in a row, when he lost a majority decision to Tui Halangingie Vea (Auckland) in an entertaining contest. Another majority decision was awarded in the Welterweight title box-off, with Tameana Puhi, receiving four of the five judge’s nod from Richard Dawkins (Nelson).

Commonwealth Games Bronze Medalist Troy Garton (Shamrock), was one of three female boxers to retain their National titles. The Auckland Lightweight controlled the action against Michelle Nuku (CNI) to earn a unanimous decision from the judges. Light Welterweight Cara Wharerau (Kirikiriroa) shut out Bree Cummings (Boxing Canterbury Metro). Che Kenneally (Auckland) was another to post a clinical victory when she beat Chrissy Read (Canterbury) by unanimous decision

Flyweight Holly McMath (Shamrock) got past defending titleholder Katie Thompson (Auckland) 4-1, with Tegan Burdett-Clark (Canterbury) defeating Amy Andrew (Manawatu) 4-1 in the Featherweight final.

Deanne Carpenter-Read (Auckland) made up for her disappointment last year, when she lost to Che Kenneally in Rotorua, dropping down to the Welterweight division to defeat Ari Adlington (Bay of Plenty) in a reasonably close contest.  

Hometown favourite Tyler Rogers, won another barnburner against Renata Raz Poa (Auckland) in the Women’s Heavyweight division decider, earning the gold medal by way of a split decision.

Article added: Friday 12 October 2018