Jerome Pampellone retrained his Light Heavyweight title, at the Boxing New Zealand National Championships held at the Te Raupararau Arena in Porirua City, in exciting contest that had the crowd on its feet.

While the defending titleholder had the luxury of a bye into the final, his opponent Jeshaiah Perelina, had won through to title decider with a hard fought split decision in the semi-finals.

The bout was an all-action stoush with neither boxer taking a backward step,  with Papampellone finally earning a three nil decision, courtesy of two judges scoring the contest a draw.

Ryan Scaife wrote his name into the annals of the BNZ record book with his fifth successive Middleweight title, equaling Sam Leuii’s record set during the 1990’s, when he defeated Emile Richardson. The replay of the 2019 National Final, saw the defending champion control the fight, with the unanimous decision reflecting Scaife’s superiority.

Marion Faustino Ah Tong emerged triumph from the strongest division of the championship, in taking out the Welterweight crown.  Tawhirimatea Toheriri-Hallett wasn’t overawed by the South Auckland pugilist, but was forced to concede defeat, when Ah Tong was awarded a unanimous decision by the five judges.

The last three Women’s bouts all went down to the wire with the results in doubt until the final bell. Defending 64kg champion, Cara Wharerau had to pull out all the stops to subdue the challenge laid down in the ring by Michelle Nuku, before Wharerau edged the judges call with a 3-2 victory.

The Women’s 69kg title decider saw 2019 champion Ariane Nicholson, given a torrid time in nine minutes of non-stop action, before Nicholson had her arm raised in victory with a hard fought split decision.

A classic Auckland verses Canterbury contest was the backdrop to the Women’s 81kg title decider. Auckland representative Stephanie Trotter had her hands full against Elona Lilo, with the result in doubt, until Trotter was announced the winner by way of a 3-2 victory.

Boxing New Zealand 2020 National Championships 20-23 January 2021

Senior Title Results

Women

54kg               Christene Gillespie (Nelson) defeated Emma Geage (South Auck) 4-1

57kg               Erin Walsh (ABA)      df Jen Peters (South Auckland) unam

60kg               Troy Garton (Shamrock) df Baylee Macdonald (SA) unam                                 

64kg               Cara Wharerau (ABA)          df Michelle Nuke (Bay of Plenty) 3-2

69kg               Ariane Nicholson (BOP) df Jessica David (Shamrock) 3-2

81kg               Stephanie Trotter (ABA) df Elona Lilo (Canterbury) 3-2

Men

Bantamweight (George Aldridge Cup)

Albaine Alfante (Shamrock) df Richard Pagote (Canterbury)      unam

Lightweight (Parisian Cup

Alex Mukuka (Kirikiriroa) df Mathew Crawford (Otago) RSC  

Light Welterweight (Geoff Watchorn Belt)

Michael Reynolds (Cant) df Cayden Hope (ABA) 4-1

Welterweight (Ted Morgan Cup)

Marion Faustino Ah Tong (SA) df Tawhirimatea Toheriri-Hallett (Shamrock) unam

Middleweight (Sommerville Cup)

Ryan Scaife (W/HV) df Emile Richardson (Manawatu) unam

Light Heavyweight (George Bush Belt)

Jerome Pampellone (ABA) df Jeshaiah Perelina (ABA) 3-0

Heavyweight (Dewar Shield)

David Nyika (ABA) unoppossed

Super Heavyweight (ABA Trophy

Matt Mataika (South Auck) df Timothy Easthope (CNI) 3-2

Jameson Belt: Ryan Scaife (Wellington/Hutt Valley)

Article added: Monday 25 January 2021