Hamilton boxer Sheilla Yama will take on Haini Mulataiaili, 24, of China, in May. Photo / CSN.Watch
Four Waikato fighters are stepping into the ring on Saturday as part of the BX-9 event.
Hamilton boxer Sheilla Yama is headlining the event, while fellow Hamiltonian Hamza Perwaisy is due to make his pro boxing debut.
Michael Tuaiti, of Tokoroa, and Emile Richardson, of Taupō, are also due to fight.
Yama will fight Chinese boxer Haini Mulataiaili for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) International Super Lightweight title.
Originally, it was believed a win would put Yama into the IBF rankings.
However, the IBF has already published new rankings before this weekend’s bout, which see Yama in place 5 in the Super Lightweight (Junior Welterweight) division.
This is a massive milestone for her as she is now ranked in all four major boxing bodies.
Yama placed 10th in WBA, 12th in WBO and 19th in WBC, in addition to ninth on Boxrec.
A win against Mulataiaili could boost her even further up the IBF rankings, potentially into third or second.
Yama said she was grateful to now be recognised by all major boxing bodies.
“It reflects the work my team and I have been putting in,” she said.
“I started boxing because I genuinely enjoy it, and for me it’s about performing and proving I’m the best in the ring.
“Until I’m in a world title fight, those numbers motivate me, and I still have a lot to prove when that opportunity comes.”
Meanwhile, Perwaisy will take Paul Tonga, of Napier, in the quarter-finals of the BX-9 Welterweight Tournament.
It will be the pro debut for both fighters.
“Going pro has always been a big dream and goal of mine so ... I’m grateful and blessed,” Perwaisy said.
He started his combat sports journey at the age of 9, following in the footsteps of his older brother Haimen.
“From that moment, I was hooked to the fight game.”
Perwaisy also competed in kickboxing and Muay Thai, winning multiple titles and holding a combined record of 36 fights with 23 wins and 13 losses, and two wins coming by way of KO.
“I find stepping in the ring every time and facing my doubts and fears is my biggest achievement, the belts and trophies are just a bonus,” he said.
The other six BX-9 Welterweight Tournament quarter-final participants are Leon Budgen (record of 3-0-0), of Auckland, who will fight South Island boxer Dane Edge (2-3-0); Papua New Guinea boxer John Ume (3-0-0), who will be taking on South Sudan-born Australian Alex Lual (5-3-0); and Australian Riley Allen (5-0-0), who will take on Fiji-born New Zealander Zair Hussain (0-2-0).
Another notable fight on the BX-9 card is Tuaiti, who will take on former Rugby League player Manu Vatuvei.
Vatuvei retired from boxing in 2019 after being diagnosed with a cyst in his brain, but has now been given the all-clear to return.
Vatuvei was introduced to boxing in 2012 through a charity boxing fight, Fight for Life, when he took on Olympic rower Eric Murray.
In 2018, Vatuvei famously fought David Letele and stopped him within 30 seconds of the first round.
Vatuvei and his brother Lopini were convicted of importing $200,000 worth of methamphetamine.
Manu was sentenced to three years and seven months’ imprisonment. He was released after 15 months in 2023.
The BX-9 event will take place on May 2 at Auckland’s Eventfinda Stadium.
Tickets are on sale online at Eventfinda and the event will be streamed live on PPV at CSN.Watch.
Main Event
Vacant IBF International Super Lightweight title
10 x 2-minute rounds
Sheilla Yama (Papua New Guinea/New Zealand) vs (China) Haini Mulataiaili
Second Main Event
Heavyweight
4 x 3-minute rounds
Manu Vatuvei (Auckland) vs Michael Tuaiti (Tokoroa)
BX-9 Welterweight Tournament Championship Quarter Finals
All 6 x 3-minute rounds
Super Middleweight
8 x 3-minute rounds
Nicholas Benn (Tauranga) vs Emile Richardson (Hamilton/Bulls)
Cruiserweight
4 x 3-minute rounds
Duken Tutakitoa-Williams (Niue/New Zealand) v (New Zealand) Remus Leaf
Super Flyweight
4 x 2-minute rounds
Mia Evans (New Zealand) v (Papua New Guinea) Goli Bali
Hybrid/Semi-Pro fight
Super Middleweight 3 x 3-minute rounds
Mohammed Al-Harbi v Corin Braddick
Benjamin Watt is a retired boxing judge and New Zealand boxing writer with a decade of experience. Watt has also been BoxRec’s New Zealand record-keeper since 2014.