New Zealand Professional Boxing Association

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}} {{Infobox sport governing body |name = New Zealand Professional Boxing Association |abbrev = NZPBA |logo =File:NZPBA_Logo.jpeg |logosize = |sport = Professional boxing |category = |image = |caption = |jurisdiction = New Zealand |founded = {{Start date|1966}} |aff =World Boxing Association World Boxing Council International Boxing Federation World Boxing Organisation World Boxing Federation Commonwealth Boxing Council Australian National Boxing Federation |affdate = |region = |regionyear = |headquarters = Auckland |location = |president = Kylie Bell |chairman = |chairperson = |chair = |chiefexec = |vicepresident = 1st Jo Gallagher 2nd Barry Galbraith |director = |secretary = Tui Gallagher |coach = |womenscoach = |key staff = |operating income = |sponsor = |year closed = |replaced = |prevfounded = |url = |countryflag = New Zealand }} '''New Zealand Professional Boxing Association''' ('''NZPBA''') is one of the four governing bodies for the sport of professional boxing in New Zealand. NZPBA is a non-profit organisation.

==History== The body was founded as South Pacific Boxing Association, with the name changed to New Zealand Professional Boxing Association Inc. in 1984 at its AGM. The new name was greeted and accepted by the World Bodies and Commonwealth Boxing Council.<ref>{{cite news |title=NZPBA Talks about History |first=Benjamin |last=Watt |url=https://newzealandfighter.co.nz/home/2015/6/5/nzpba-talks-about-history |newspaper=New Zealand Fighter|date=5 June 2009 |accessdate=21 January 2017}}</ref>

In 2006, NZPBA had its first female national champion with Daniella Smith defeating Sue Glassey for the super welterweight title. Smith is New Zealand's second professional national champion.

In April 2016, NZPBA sanctioned New Zealand's first major world title fight (from one of the four major sanctioning bodies) for the WBC female middleweight title with Kali Reis defeating Maricela Cornejo by split decision. The fight night also featured two of New Zealand's first WBC Silver title fights with Melissa St. Vil defeating Baby Nansen and Ronica Jeffrey defeating Gentiane Lupi. On the same night, NZPBA had New Zealand's first female professional boxing referee, with Shelley Ashton officiating Nailini Helu vs. Kirsty Lupeamanu. ==Controversy== Former NZPBA President Lance Revill is known for sharing his opinions with New Zealand's local media, causing major scrutiny to the association. He drew particular attention for his comments directed at Joseph Parker. Since the beginning of Parker's career, Revill has made regular comments about Parker, including when he turned pro,<ref>{{cite news |title=Boxing: Revill steals limelight at Parker press conference |first=Patrick |last=McKendry |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10806279 |newspaper=New Zealand Herald |date=16 May 2012 |accessdate=21 January 2017}}</ref> alleging that Parker's promoters were only interested in money,<ref>{{cite news |title=Boxing: Revill hits out at fight promoters |first=Patrick |last=McKendry |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11251928 |newspaper=New Zealand Herald |date=9 May 2014 |accessdate=21 January 2017}}</ref> that Parker was too hyped up<ref>{{cite news |title=Old heads warn against Joseph Parker hype |first=Richard |last=Knowler |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/63979219/old-heads-warn-against-joseph-parker-hype |newspaper=Stuff.co.nz |date=10 December 2014 |accessdate=21 January 2017}}</ref> and that Parker didn't win his world title fight in December 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=NZ boxing boss Lance Revill: It's bulls****, Joseph Parker didn't win |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11764775 |newspaper=New Zealand Herald |date=11 December 2016 |accessdate=21 January 2017}}</ref> In February 2017, it was announced that due to backlash against his comments against Parker, Revill resigned as president of NZPBA. Vice President John Conway was named interim president.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boxing: Lance Revill quits NZPBA post due to Joseph Parker fight backlash |first=Patrick |last=McKendry |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11804154 |newspaper=New Zealand Herald |date=11 December 2016 |accessdate=20 February 2017}}</ref>

In 2018, NZPBA officiated a corporate boxing event in Christchurch in November where first-time corporate boxer Kain Parsons was knocked unconscious. Kain Parsons was taken to Christchurch Hospital's intensive care unit, but he died four days later after the event.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fight for Christchurch boxer Kain Parsons dies after charity match |first=Maddison |last=Northcott |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/108410999/fight-for-christchurch-boxer-kain-parsons-dies-after-charity-match |newspaper=Stuff NZ |date=7 November 2018 |accessdate=28 October 2020}}</ref> The vice president of the organisation at the time, Kevin Pyne, was the referee of the fight.<ref>{{cite news |title=We were all deeply gutted' - referee in fatal Christchurch boxing match speaks |first=Tom |last=Dillane |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/we-were-all-deeply-gutted-referee-in-fatal-christchurch-boxing-match-speaks/J6VLTLOQMVGPZAD7L4TFL3K6EI/ |newspaper=New Zealand Herald |date=9 December 2018 |accessdate=28 October 2020}}</ref> Former NZPBA President Lance Revill stated that he believed the fight should have been stopped earlier.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ref should've called it off': NZ boxing great urges change after charity fight left boxer critical |first=Thomas |last=Mead |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/11/ref-should-ve-called-it-off-nz-boxing-great-urges-change-after-charity-fight-left-boxer-critical.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030192223/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/11/ref-should-ve-called-it-off-nz-boxing-great-urges-change-after-charity-fight-left-boxer-critical.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 October 2020 |newspaper=Newshub |date=5 November 2018 |accessdate=28 October 2020}}</ref> In 2019, Kevin Pyne was elected president of NZPBA, despite being the referee of the fight.<ref>{{cite news |title=Built for Battle: Charity boxing returns to Christchurch |first=Liam |last=Broderick |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-sport/built-battle-charity-boxing-returns-christchurch |newspaper=Star News |date=22 October 2021|accessdate=30 November 2024}}</ref>

==Current roles==

===Board members=== '''President:''' Kylie Bell

'''Vice president:''' 1st Jo Gallagher, 2nd Barry Galbraith

'''National secretary:''' Tui Gallagher

'''National treasurer:''' James Dellows

'''Regional rep - Canterbury:''' Kevin Pyne

'''Regional rep - Wellington/Lower North Island:''' Joel Revill

'''Regional rep - BOP/Waikato:''' Mike Francis

'''Regional rep - Northland/Auckland:''' John Conway

==Current national champions==

===Men===

{| class="wikitable" ! style="text-align: center;" | Weight class ! style="text-align: center;" | NZPBA Champion ! style="text-align: center;" | NZPBA reign began |- | style="text-align: center;" | Heavyweight | style="text-align: center;" | Junior Fa | style="text-align: center;" | 18 March 2017 |- | style="text-align: center;" | Cruiserweight | style="text-align: center;" | Asher Derbyshire<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqt_Qm_Oj0o|title=Wellington Big Bash - Fight 11|publisher=Youtube|accessdate=14 May 2016}}</ref> | style="text-align: center;" | 29 April 2016 |- | style="text-align: center;" | Light-heavyweight | style="text-align: center;" | Vacant | style="text-align: center;" | — |- | style="text-align: center;" | Super-middleweight | style="text-align: center;" | Ricaia Warren | style="text-align: center;" | 15 November 2025 |- | style="text-align: center;" | Middleweight | style="text-align: center;" | Vacant | style="text-align: center;" | — |- | style="text-align: center;" | Super-welterweight | style="text-align: center;" | Bowyn Morgan | style="text-align: center;" | 22 June 2018 |- | style="text-align: center;" | Welterweight | style="text-align: center;" | Vacant | style="text-align: center;" | — |- | style="text-align: center;" | Super-lightweight | style="text-align: center;" | Vacant | style="text-align: center;" | — |- | style="text-align: center;" | Lightweight | style="text-align: center;" | Nort Beauchamp | style="text-align: center;" | 4 May 2019 |}

===Women=== {| class="wikitable" ! style="text-align: center;" | Weight class ! style="text-align: center;" | NZPBA Champion ! style="text-align: center;" | NZPBA reign began |- | style="text-align: center;" | Heavyweight | style="text-align: center;" | Sarah Long | style="text-align: center;" | 13 October 2018 |- | style="text-align: center;" | Light-heavyweight | style="text-align: center;" | Lani Daniels | style="text-align: center;" | 18 November 2017 |- | style="text-align: center;" | Super-welterweight | style="text-align: center;" | Daniella Smith<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wban.org/biog/daniellasmith.htm|title=Daniella Smith|publisher=WBAN|accessdate=24 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093623/http://www.wban.org/biog/daniellasmith.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> | style="text-align: center;" | 6 May 2006 |- | style="text-align: center;" | Welterweight | style="text-align: center;" | Daniella Smith<ref>{{cite web|url=https://magazine.fighttimes.com/daniella-smith-retains-nz-welterweight-title/|title=Daniella Smith retains NZ Welterweight Title|publisher=Fight Times|accessdate=21 February 2009}}</ref> | style="text-align: center;" | 13 December 2008 |- | style="text-align: center;" | Lightweight | style="text-align: center;" | Mea Motu | style="text-align: center;" | 26 March 2021 |- | style="text-align: center;" | Super-featherweight | style="text-align: center;" | Rebecca Jennings | style="text-align: center;" | 10 September 2016 |- | style="text-align: center;" | Bantamweight | style="text-align: center;" | Christine Gillespie | style="text-align: center;" | 2 November 2024 |- |}

==Current provincial champions==

===NZPBA Central title===

====Heavyweight men==== {| class="wikitable" ! Name ! Beginning of reign ! Opponent ! Defences |- | Kiki Toa Leutele | 6 October 2018 | Thomas Russell | 0 |}

====Middleweight men==== {| class="wikitable" ! Name ! Beginning of reign ! Opponent ! Defences |- | Gunnar Jackson | 24 November 2018 | Blake Bell | 0 |}

==Boxing and Wrestling Act 1981== {{main|Boxing and Wrestling Act 1981}}

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== * {{Official website|http://nzpba.weebly.com/}}

{{Sport in New Zealand}} {{New Zealand topics}} {{Sports governing bodies in New Zealand}} {{Oceania in topic|Sport in}}

Category:Sports governing bodies in New Zealand Category:Boxing in New Zealand Category:Professional boxing governing bodies