Geovana Peres wins second NZ title
Geovana Peres has become the second woman ever to win two New Zealand professional boxing titles. Peres went to war last night at ABA Stadium taking on Trish Vaka.
Geovana Peres (2-1-0) is a Brazilian born, now Auckland New Zealand resident boxer. She is well known currently to be the first person from the LGBTQ community to win a New Zealand professional boxing title. She won her first title back in April this year against former top 10 heavyweight boxer Nailini Helu, almost winning every round to take home the NZNBF version of the New Zealand Light Heavyweight title.
Peres going for her second title, took on Trish Vaka (0-1-0 1nc) from Northland. The fight itself went the eight round distance, with Geovana winning the bout by Unanimous Decision and taking home the PBCNZ version of the New Zealand Light Heavyweight title. Geovana Peres has made history with not only being for LGBT person to win a pro New Zealand title, but also second woman ever to win two New Zealand titles.
The first female ever you may know is the first every IBF World female champion, Daniella Smith. Smith won her first New Zealand title in 2006 against Sue Glassey for the NZPBA version of the New Zealand super welterweight title (69.9 kgs). Her second title was in 2008 against Lisa Mauala for the same title but this time for the welterweight title (66.7 kgs).
Geovana Peres now sets her sights on the NZPBA version of the New Zealand title. The heavyweight title is currently held by Alrie Meleisea, however the light heavyweight version of the title is currently vacant but being fought for in November between Lani Daniels and Trish Vaka. Peres is also eventually looking for a rematch against Sarah Long and potential fight against Meleisea in the future.
Peres is showing a lot of potential and has improved a lot since her first fight March this year. Geovana I believe can be a future world champion and is certainly on her way in doing so.
As for the undercard of the fight night at ABA Stadium on Friday the 13th, there was two professional international bouts on the cards.
The undefeated Ruben Webster (5-0-0) took on an experience amateur boxer from Tahiti, Jesse Pereitai (Pro debut). Both boxers fought very well, however Webster was simply too good for french polynesian. Webster won the bout by Unanimous Decision.
The final professional undercard bout of the eventing didn’t last very long. Fijian boxer Saiyad Ali took on Indian boxer Ravinder Singh, both boxers making their professional debut. However it only lasted 31 seconds in the first round with Saiyad Ali winning the bout by a devastating Knockout. People at ringside said that Ravinder Singh should not have been a professional boxer and shouldn’t have gotten in the ring in the first place.