Rising contender Cowin Ray, pictured, will fight seasoned professional Marcus Heywood.
Rising contender Cowin Ray, pictured, will fight seasoned professional Marcus Heywood.
One of New Zealand’s fastest‑growing boxing promotions is coming to Tauranga, with BX‑9 taking over Mercury Baypark Arena on February 28.
Headlining the card is a highly anticipated showdown between rising contender Cowin Ray and seasoned professional Marcus Heywood.
CSN and BX‑9 managing director Oz Jabur says BX‑9Vol. 3, held in conjunction with Battle of the Clubs, is “bringing the heat to The Mount,” combining a high‑energy fight night with fundraising for local rugby clubs.
“They’re doing fantastic work raising money for local rugby clubs while creating an exciting atmosphere, and we’re proud to integrate three fully sanctioned professional bouts under the BX‑9 banner, officiated by PBC NZ,” Jabur said.
“The Mount is a community that loves combat sports — and there’s no better excuse to enjoy the Mount weather and a big night of fights.”
Jabur says BX‑9 is about putting together the right fights — and Ray versus Heywood is exactly that.
“Cowin is coming off a classy win over Ricaia Warren at BX‑9 Vol. 2 in December, and now he’s stepping straight into a genuine test against one of New Zealand’s most skilled and experienced pros,” he said.
“Marcus called me and said he wants to fight the best — so here we are. This is a real 50–50 between two top pros.”
South African‑born Ray, now living in New Zealand, enters the bout with an impressive professional record of 10 wins and 1 loss, including 7 knockouts.
A former South African national super middleweight champion, he returned from a year‑long break in December with a unanimous decision win over Rotorua’s Warren.
Jabur has made it clear that he hopes to build Ray toward a future super‑fight with Coromandel’s Francis Waitai — but first, Ray must overcome a dangerous and highly experienced Heywood.
Heywood, from Whangaparāoa, is a former PBCNZ national middleweight champion, stopping Shay Brock in 2022.
Known for his kickboxing pedigree and willingness to face elite opposition, Heywood has fought top talent across New Zealand, Australia and the United States, including Tauranga’s Gunnar Jackson, world title contender Andrei Mikhailovich, Bowyn Morgan, Lorenzo Simpson, Callum Peters and more.
He also has history with Tauranga fighters, having faced Jackson on debut and later challenging Nicholas Benn for the NZ Pro Box middleweight title in 2024.
Seasoned professional Marcus Heywood. Photo / Supplied
Tauranga fighters sidelined
Jabur had planned to feature multiple Tauranga professionals on the card, but a wave of injuries and preparations for Commonwealth Games trials has ruled most of them out of competition.
Hybrid bouts add depth to the card
The event will also feature high‑level hybrid‑pro (semi‑pro) bouts, including:
- Josh Tonga, IBA World Youth Championships bronze medallist, vs Australian amateur standout Khalid Bassal
- Mia Evans, 2025 OCBC Oceania Championships gold medallist, vs Bubba Tairua‑Bracken, the WBC Pro NZ bantamweight kickboxing champion
