Mea Motu hospitalised following return to New Zealand after world title fight

Mea Motu has been hospitalised with pneumonia. Photo / Dean Purcell

Former world champion boxer Mea Motu has been hospitalised with pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis after returning to New Zealand from England earlier this week.

Motu travelled to Nottingham with her team from Peach Boxing to challenge IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine super bantamweight champion Ellie Scotney in a unification bout, falling to a unanimous decision in the first loss of her 21-fight professional career.

In a statement, Peach Boxing said Motu, who has a long history of severe asthma and respiratory issues, likely developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - a condition caused by blood clots - from the long-haul flights home.

“Her legs were extremely swollen after arrival, and the swelling worsened over the following days.

“Concerned, her cousin insisted they visit a chemist, who then urged her to seek medical attention. She was soon diagnosed with DVT and a lung infection and is now receiving urgent treatment for both conditions.”

Motu had travelled north from Auckland to Pukepoto, between Ahipara and Kaitaia, for a break and had planned to attend a cousin’s wedding on Friday.

She and her team have been managing respiratory issues for years.

“To be honest, the last three days, it’s been really tough,” Motu told Newstalk ZB.

“I’ve been really struggling to breathe, both of my legs are all swollen...it’s really hard to walk, I’m very exhausted, I’m run down, I’m so tired. I’m just struggling to breathe and try survive, really. That’s the hardest.

“I was trying to fight it, but my family were very concerned and stressed that they took me to the hospital. I thought I just had a normal cold.”

Earlier this year, she was forced to withdraw from the reality TV show Treasure Island after a severe asthma attack landed her in the hospital with pneumonia - and continued to do so ahead of her meeting with Scotney.

Peach Boxing said Motu had been dealing with a persistent cough leading into the bout, but they were well prepared for the fight and had received medical clearance to compete.

Coach Isaac Peach praised Motu’s resilience, acknowledging the uphill battle she faced.

“I’m not making excuses, I take nothing away from Scotney, she was brilliant. It’s just crazy the level that Mea is able to operate at with such obstacles in her way,” Peach said.

“I was very worried as soon as I heard she was unwell back here, and I’m so relieved she is in the right place getting the treatment she needs. She is an absolute warrior.”