Benjis 2020 New Zealand Boxing Awards
Another year has gone and despite a messy year with covid holding us back, New Zealand Boxing is still strong. In 2020 there were 23 events that hosted professional boxing fights and 6 New Zealand national title fights. Here are is the New Zealand 2020 Boxing Awards selected by myself (Benjamin Watt).
Most entertaining boxer of the year – Andrei Mikhailovich
Not only his he entertaining to watch in the ring, but also outside the ring. He is a character that is not afraid to call anyone out and tell you what he thinks, especially on the mic, in front of the camera, on social media, at the weigh-in, pre-fight interview, post-fight interview and talking with the media. Also an entertaining moment of the year, singing Don’t Stop Believin on Sky Sports TV before his fight against Marcus Heywood.
Event of the year – Nick Randell, P3 Management, Friday Night Fights, Sky City Theatre November 13th
Not only is this event happening at the Theatres which is something that has not happened in 20+ years, but it also was on Sky Sports TV for us to enjoy. Had two of the biggest, most entertaining fights of the year. With music, lights camera and Knockouts. Also can’t beat Andrei singing karaoke.
Non-boxer of the year – Benjamin Watt
Yes, I am tooting my horn here but it is mainly because during the 2 months of lockdown I used my time archiving 10 years of Amateur boxing results and uploading them to Boxrec. Doing that 10 hours a day for 2 months straight and continuingly updating it. Also writing these articles, backstage work and judging.
Commentator of the year – Dale Husband
This was his debut year on Sky Sports TV at the Friday Night Fights show and what an amazing job he did on day one. Spoke Clearly, interacted with Monty well and didn’t leave to much quiet time on air which is always a plus.
MC of the year – Isaac Savage
Every event he does he learns from and gets better and better. He can get the crowd rowdy and on their feet. Isaac has been the most active MC this year ( Auckland ) and in conjunction to that he commentates on national events and conducts interviews with local and international fighters with Gladrap Channel / Savage Talk.
Judge of the year – Benjamin Watt
Yes again tooting my own horn here but in the 5 years of being in the business, I have finally reached 100 professional boxing fights as a judge. On top of that being first openly gay judge in the world. Some people say it’s not a big deal but being in 2015 when I first began and the LGBT community still having their first-ever, shows that the world that we need to open more doors. People can love me and people can hate me but people can always respect me as 99% of the time I don’t get paid and I do so much for the love of the sport.
Referee of the year – David Craig
One of if not the best referee in New Zealand. The more events he does the better he gets. Like me love him or hate him you have to respect him for the work he has also done. Especially with the amount of paper work that goes into it behind the scenes. He certainly does so much as an official and as a referee.
Champion of the year – David Light – WBO Oriental Cruiserweight Champion
He is the highest-ranked Cruiserweight boxer New Zealand has ever had. He is the current WBO Oriental Champion which he successfully defended his title again Mose Auimatangi jr.
New Zealand National Champion of the year – Francis Waitai – Pro Box NZ Super Middleweight Champion
In the second professional boxing fight of his career, he took on a very tough Chase Haley and won practically every round of the fight. Not only that went on to face Jerome Pascua the following week on Shane Cameron show on Live Sky Sports TV at Eventfinda Stadium. To be honest, was the fight of the night and should have been the main event of the evening. Very good start of a professional boxing career.
Honourable Mention
Andrei Mikhailovich -PBCNZ Super Welterweight & Pro Box NZ Middleweight Champion
Not only holding two titles in two different weight division from two different commissioning bodies, but he also won that title in a massive fight against Marcus Heyworrd in one of the most entertaining fights of the year.
Zane Hopman – Pro Box NZ Light Heavyweight Champion
It has taken Zane six years to get his New Zealand title shot, and in 2020 not only did he get his show he got his New Zealand title.
Knockout of the year – Baby Nansen Stopping Karen Te Ruki Pasene
When looking at knockouts we don’t look at amazing flash knockouts that just wow the crowds, let’s be honest there weren’t allot this year. We also look at the knockouts that were not mismatched and were matched nicely and evenly because then it wouldn’t be fair. Baby vs Karen was nicely matched and Baby had the best performance of the night. Ending the fight in the 7th with corner retirement.
New Zealand Fight of the year – Richie Hadlow vs Nort Beauchamp
Now, this is truly the fight of the year. These two boxers were entertaining from the Richie Hadlow with his axes at the weigh-in, to Nort dancing down the stairs for his entrance. On top of that, they went toe to toe. They had so much respect for each other as both boxers smiled throughout the fight and showed so much character. This was definitely a fight you must see if you ever get the chance and the best thing is they want to go at it again.
New Promoter Fight of the year – Nick Randell P3 Management
Not only has the event of the year but got two of the biggest fights of the year as well. Taking a big risk by putting on a big show at Sky City Theatre on Sky TV, attracting 60k viewership on TV.
Promoter of the year – Isaac and Alina Peach
What I like to call the power couple of boxing in New Zealand. They put on three events this year and they have a product that works. They don’t do the conventional corporate boxing event like everyone else, they more focus on giving back to the boxing community and creating opportunities for both amateur and professional boxing. On top of that taking a big financial risk with a Sky TV show with WBO regional title on the line.
Honourable Mention
Craig Thomson – Promoting four events in 2020 including a New Zealand title fight in Masterton.
Trainer of the year – Isaac Peach
Truly the best trainer in New Zealand. He has the best boxers in New Zealand in both Amateur and Professional. Also not forgetting training the WBO Oriental champion David Light.
Returning Boxer of the year – John Parker
2020 marked the first fight in John Parker’s career in three and a half years. Coming back from a career and life-threatening brain aneurysm. He was medically cleared to fight again and he was ready to do so with 2 knockouts this year.
Female Newcomer of the year – Mea Motu
Making her professional boxing debut this year fighting four times in a space of nine weeks. Two of the four fights ended by knockout which we have not seen a lot of in the past 5 years of professional boxing.
Male Newcomer of the year – Jesse Maio
Jesse started off his boxing career as a corporate boxer. He followed his trainer Isaac Peach into amateur boxing did well in his amateur career. This year he made his professional debut and had three professional boxing fights in the space of 7 weeks. In his last fight of 2020, he took on a tough Craig Thomson which the judges scored it very close. The fight ended early due to 2 massive cuts on Jesse eyes which went to the scorecards for Jesse to win. Jesse is now ranked 2nd in the Light Heavyweight division in New Zealand and the rematch with Craig is on the plans.
Debut of the year – Mea Motu
Made a massive debut against Wendy Talbot and went on to fight in three other fights that year.
Gym of the year – Peach Boxing
The team opened up a new gym this year in West Auckland. If you think of the gym of the year you need to think of who are their trainers and who are their boxers. On top of that their wins, their loses and the events they put on. Peach Boxing ticks all the boxes. Their gym is certainly to be feared in the ring they put on some of the most entertaining fights you have ever seen.
Female Amateur Boxer of the year – Troy Garton
Winning the North Island Golden Gloves this year and fighting her 50th amateur boxing fight at Golden Gloves. The commonwealth games bronze medalist reaching a massive milestone that very few female boxers reach in New Zealand.
Honourable Mention
Erin Walsh – Competed six times this year with a 2020 record of 4 – 2
Male Amateur Boxer of the year – Jerome Pampellone
He competed eight times this year in amateur boxing with his 2020 record of 6 – 2. He was also the main event one of Peach Boxing shows and even went on to make his professional boxing debut.
Honourable Mention
David Nyika – Qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics
Female Boxer of the year – Mea Motu
Not only making her professional debut but going on to fight four times in the last part of the year, now undefeated. She is already ready for her fight New Zealand title shot next year and looking to fight for a world title 2022 or 2023.
Honourable Mention
Baby Nansen – for her win over Karen Te Ruki Pasene
Male Boxer of the year – David Light
Successfully defending his PBCNZ Cruiserweight title against Lance Bryant but also successfully defending his WBO Oriental title against Mose Auimatagi Jnr. He is now ranked 6th in the WBO (will get ranking increase), 9th in the IBF, 17th in the WBC and 13th on Boxrec. It is predicted that he will get a World title shot by end of 2021 or early 2022.
Honourable Mention
Shiva Mishra – Winning the Pro Box NZ and Pro Box Pacific titles this year and on top of that fighting three times this year.
Joshua Francis – Defending his Australasian title and fighting three times this year.
Zane Hopman – Winning his New Zealand title before retiring.
Lance Bryant – announcing his retirement.
Mose Auimatagi Jr – Massive performance against David Light.
Boxer of the year – Mea Motu
Some may believe to be a controversial decision but Mea Motu doing such a good job in her first year. If there was no covid I bet she would have had 10 fights this year alone. She is a good role model to boxers, to women and to young children. She is a good boxer, very committed and a very nice person outside the ring. She represents an important part of boxing and will do well on the international stage. I truly believe that she will do what Daniella Smith did and become the name Maori World Boxing Champion.