Professional boxing in New Zealand


Professional boxing in New Zealand refers to the sport of boxing held in New Zealand at a professional level.

Governing body

New Zealand National Boxing Federation and New Zealand Professional Boxing Association are the national sporting commissioning bodies that run professional boxing in New Zealand. Other boxing bodies in New Zealand have been inactive including Boxing NZ Inc and New Zealand Boxing Council. Boxing NZ Inc currently only commission amateur boxing events and NZBC has been inactive since 2007. The New Zealand Boxing Association was the first boxing commission in New Zealand, which began before 1900. In 1903, the NZBA was granted a special dispensation by the ruling world amateur body to conduct professional boxing. Thus was born the amateur undercard with pro bouts as the main card. In 2016, a New Boxing commission started called the Professional Boxing Commission New Zealand. The PBCNZ commissioned their first show on Joseph Parker vs. Andy Ruiz. A small commissioning body called Pro-Box NZ, is semi active in New Zealand, however only does an average of three events per year. Most of Pro-Box NZ commissioned events are in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato area. In 2019, NZPBA was no longer considered the main professional boxing body as Pro Box NZ did more shows nationwide the NZPBA. PBCNZ was the main body for Auckland.

History

In 1903 Parliament formed and passed the Boxing and Wrestling Act to cover the facets and the issuing of a Police boxing permit. The act and regulations have been slightly amended over the years. The latest amendment was 1984, because only boxing and wrestling is named in the current act and regulations, is why all the other combat sports do not have to apply for Police permits or restricted by anything else such that is required for current day boxers.

Tournaments

Current champions

Men

Weight class:NZPBA Champion:NZPBA Reign began:PBCNZ Champion:PBCNZ Reign began:Pro Box NZ Champion:Pro Box NZ Reign began:
HeavyweightJunior Fa18 March 2017Richard Tutaki28 October 2023Kiki Toa Leutele12 May 2023
CruiserweightAsher Derbyshire29 April 2016Jerome Pampellone21 July 2022John Parker27 April 2024
Light HeavyweightVacant—Michael Helg8 June 2024Zane Hopman30 October 2020
Super MiddleweightRicaia Warren15 November 2025Vacant—Francis Waitai10 October 2020
MiddleweightVacant—Marcus Heywood20 August 2022Andrei Mikhailovich3 August 2019
Super WelterweightBowyn Morgan22 June 2018Dylan Archer25 July 2024Bowyn Morgan15 December 2018
WelterweightVacant—Sonny Morini14 November 2025Vacant—
Super LightweightVacant—Vacant—Shiva Mishra15 February 2020
LightweightNort Beauchamp4 May 2019Vacant—Vacant—

Pacific Titles

In 2018, Pro Box NZ created a new title for the pacific region called the Pro Box Pacific title, with the first bout happening on 4 May 2018 with Bowyn Morgan taking on Andres Delfin Rodriguez. PBCNZ tried to replicate the idea, however the original bout scheduled on 19 May 2018, between Sam Rapira and Abhay Chand did not happen due to Abhay Chand pulling out. Sam Rapira ended up fighting Ratu Dawai instead for the PBCNZ National Titles.

Provincial titles

In 2018, New Zealand Professional Boxing Association created three Provincial titles for New Zealand. The NZPBA Northern, NZPBA Central and NZPBA Southern title. The first title was competed on 6 October 2018, where Kiki Toa Leutele Knocked out Thomas Russell.