Rotorua juniors claim medal haul at New Zealand Boxing Championships

CHAMPIONS: Rotorua Central Boxing Club members Kahu Rangiawha, left, Naturelle Rangiawha and Kevin Hay won their bouts at the New Zealand Boxing Championships junior finals on Thursday. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Rotorua Central Boxing Club juniors have walked away from the New Zealand Boxing Championships with four national titles.

In the 38kg male cadet division Kevin Hay beat Kirikiriroa boxer Cooper White 3-2.

Rotorua Central Boxing Club owner Rex Jenkins said Kevin got "a little lucky" in his bout, but a win was a win.

"In saying that, he stuck to what he knew. He got pressed and pressed but he stuck to his good, straight punching and at the end of the day his left hand really won him the fight.

"They actually fought a month ago and Kevin won quite easily, but this time they cut him down by rushing, they learnt from last time and credit to them for that. Cooper fought very well," Jenkins said.

Kahu Rangiawha won the 42kg male cadet title via a 'referee stops contest' after twice knocking down Alex Wagner of Manawatu.

"He was right on form, he knew exactly what he was there for," Jenkins said.

"He caught the boy with a good body shot and put him on the deck for an eight count. He went straight back and caught him with another good, straight right to the body and won the bout.

"He was so in form, he wanted that title so badly."

Naturelle Rangiawha won the junior female 42kg title in a dominant 5-0 victory over Manawatu boxer Amber Foot.

"Naturelle was so focused before the fight. She was that focused that she wouldn't talk to us in the last 10 minutes before the fight, she was in the zone.

"She hopped in the ring and when the bell went she went at it like a little bull terrier. She landed about five punches on the girl straight away and was on top for the rest of the fight."

Maea Hay retained the under-14 female cadet title she won last year as she was unopposed in her division.

"I'm very proud of all of them. These kids deserve it, they really deserve it because they have worked hard. They've fought older kids all year and the three that won haven't lost a fight this year," Jenkins said.

Meanwhile Rotovegas Boxing Gym's Maniteariki Richel went down 5-0 against a much more experienced Leon Gibson of Canterbury in the 36kg male cadet division.

Rotovegas Boxing Gym owner Aaron Warren said Gibson was the better boxer on the day but he was pleased with the effort Richel put in.

"I thought he went well with the amount of experience he had. I think he was definitely the tidier boxer but he just couldn't settle because the other guy was too aggressive.

"We're happy with him and he was happy with himself - that's the main thing. It was his fourth fight and sometimes in life you learn more from your losses that you do winning. Maniteariki was smiling after the fight and he said 'I'll get it next year'."

Tauranga's hopes of a national title lay solely on the shoulders of Hannah Walker and she delivered.

She claimed the junior female 54kg title in a hard fought 3-2 win over Leoni Rosin, of South Auckland.

Her coach Chris Walker said it was a "really good, entertaining bout".

"It was a good win for the Bay of Plenty and for Tauranga, she is really happy about it," he said.