Two girls born and bred in the Far North are making waves in the Auckland boxing scene.
Often referred to as city slickers by their opponents, Deyne Te Marino Painting-Davis and Talia Waaka-Smith remain true to their Ngapuhi roots.
Despite study and part-time work commitments, both have had four wins from their four fights so far, noted trainer (and Talia's mother), professional boxer, 'Diamond' Daniella Smith.
Since the pair arrived in Auckland, Smith has guided them and they now train alongside former professional athletes Monty Betham Jr and Karl Te Nana. Smith coaches Deyne but Talia is now being coached by Daniella's trainer, Chris Martin, one of NZ's top trainers and former coach of David Tua; mum noting that being her daughter's coach had become too emotional and risked spoiling the girl's fight game.
Both Daniella and Talia's father, Watchman Waaka, are ex-Northland College students. Talia currently lives with her mother in Auckland but returns home frequently to spend holidays with whanau in Taheke, Waima and Cable Bay. Deyne Painting-Davis hails from Kawakawa, the daughter of Edith Painting and Tawio Davis, both Northland representatives across a range of codes including rugby, league, netball, basketball and touch. Head Girl of Bay of Islands College in 2011, Deyne holds strong connections to Ngaitupoto in Motukaraka, and Te Popoto in Utakura, moving to Auckland in 2012 to study a physiotherapy degree at Auckland University.
Talia, meanwhile, spent many years following her mother to boxing training but didn't actually take the sport up until December 2011. Smith said she still held misgivings about sending her child into the ring.
"I never wanted my baby to fight," said Daniella. "Why would any mother want to witness their beautiful child being punched in the face?
But watching the two girls sparring each other for the first time made Smith realise they had a certain "something".
"So I decided I would let them have one fight. To be honest I thought they wouldn't handle the training I put people through and would give up. No such luck. They both loved it," she laughed, adding the girls both made their debut as fighters in 2011 on the Boxing Alley vs Shane Cameron Gym Xmas Bash corporate fight card.
"I thrash them, I'm hard on them and I am definitely not their friend. I have high expectations and won't accept anything less. I'm harder on them than anyone else in the gym because I care and I want them to go into the ring prepared. They are just babies in my sport and they need guidance.
"I don't put up with any dramas and they both know it. I instil respect; respect for themselves, for their opponents and for the sport. I've been involved in this sport way too long for any 'Johnny-come-latelys' to treat it shabbily."
Daniella noted Deyne and Talia were extremely fortunate to have resources and opportunities provided for them. While both held potential, and despite their four wins from four records, the pair were still considered novice corporate boxers.
"Yes they're good, but it's early days. These two have a great future but they are kept well grounded by their coaches, support team and most importantly by their whanau."