Two local boxers have booked their spots on the national stage after claiming Open Class titles at the South Island Golden Gloves tournament in Christchurch.
Ezra Luamanu and Lydia Stewart-McDonald took out their respective divisions at the Kaiapoi Working Men’s Club over the weekend, earning qualification for the New Zealand Golden Gloves Championships in Christchurch on Friday, 4 July.
The championships bring together the top two ranked boxers from each Open Class division from both the South and North Island Golden Gloves competitions.
Ezra, who is 15, defeated Noah Tuinenga of Hickmans Boxing Club by unanimous points decision to win the Junior Male Open Class Heavyweight title.
Nineteen-year-old Lydia claimed the Open Class 65kg women’s title after defeating Mia Brake of Reefton Boxing Club by majority points decision.
Both fights were hard-earned, with neither opponent willing to give ground.
“I was pleased with the way they stuck to the game plan and didn’t get drawn into a messy brawl,” says coach Randall Dixon.
“Both Ezra and Lydia love fighting on the inside and letting their hands go, so it was great to see them keep their composure, box smart, and execute the plan to secure the win.”
Lydia will make her professional debut at Fight for Rangatahi 4 in Motueka on Saturday, 13 June, where she will face Ericka Stark of Cambridge in a New Zealand Professional Boxing Association welterweight title eliminator.
The winner will earn the opportunity to challenge for the national title in the future.
Finding suitable amateur opponents for Lydia has become increasingly difficult following her strong performances over the past 18 months.
Last year, in her first year of boxing, she won silver at the New Zealand Championships, advancing through the quarterfinals and semi-finals before losing the final on points. She finished the year with a record of 10 fights and just one defeat.
“Earlier this year I had to move Lydia up two weight divisions just to get her a fight,” Randall says. “She relied on her skill and speed to get the win, but giving away that much weight isn’t something we can do regularly.”
To maintain activity and continue her development, Lydia will now compete in both the amateur and professional ranks, although her primary focus will remain amateur boxing.
Her upcoming opponent, Ericka Stark, is a familiar name. The pair met in the semi-finals of last year’s New Zealand Championships, where Lydia won on points.
“That result doesn’t mean much now,” Randall says. “Ericka has improved since then and already has professional experience. Professional boxing is very different from Olympic-style amateur boxing. There is no headgear, the gloves are smaller, the hand wraps are different, and the fights are longer. It’s a different style and requires a different mindset.”
“We’re certainly not taking this fight lightly. We know Ericka will come prepared, and she has a smart, experienced coach in her corner.”
Despite the step up, Randall believes Lydia possesses a rare quality.
“If you know Lydia, you’ll know she’s a natural fighter. Natural fighters don’t come around very often. They’re always hungry to compete and constantly looking to improve.
“That’s why I’m confident she’ll be fully prepared and ready to go on June 13.”
Lydia made her boxing debut at Fight for Rangatahi 2 in Motueka. She will now return to headline Fight for Rangatahi 4, marking her first professional bout.
