Hamilton boxer Sheilla Yama signs US co-management deal with Brian Cohen

Sheilla Yama also holds the International (PBCNZ version) super lightweight title.

Hamilton boxer Sheilla Yama has signed an overseas co-management deal that could significantly boost her career.

Yama, originally from Papua New Guinea, is now managed by US-based Brian Cohen, of Split-T Boxing, in addition to her current trainer and previous manager, Cairo George, of New Zealand-based Team George Boxing.

Cohen is very familiar with New Zealand, having previously fought and organised fights here.

During his career, Cohen has won multiple significant titles, including the WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title.

His last professional fight in New Zealand was in 2010, where he fought Taito Ratuere in Auckland. The fight ended in a no-contest.

Cohen is also one of the leading women’s boxing matchmakers in the world and manages many talented boxers, including his wife, Hall of Famer and two-division world champion Kali Reis.

Reis won her first major world title in New Zealand against Maricela Cornejo. The fight made history as the first major world title to be held on New Zealand soil.

In April 2016, Cohen brought a few US boxers to New Zealand to compete in a special America v New Zealand professional women’s boxing event.

Cohen now manages many current and former world title contenders, including Australian fighter Ebanie Bridges, US-based boxers Tiara Brown, Oshae Jones, Mary McGee, Angelica Rascon and Shelly Vincent, Dominican Republic fighter Dahianna Santana, and Canadian boxers Jessica Camara and Mary Spencer.

George, also a former professional boxer and owner of Hamilton’s Hit Fitness HQ, has been Yama’s trainer and manager since 2023.

With the duo jointly managing Yama, George will handle her fights in New Zealand and Australia, while Cohen will handle her fights in other parts of the world.

The joint venture could push Yama’s career up into title contention in just a few fights.

Commenting about the deal on social media, Cohen said signing Yama was a great opportunity.

“Sheilla is an intense, driven and disciplined machine. The 135–140lb [61-63kg] ... weight class has always been a dangerous division.

“Now it has gotten frightening. But Sheilla isn’t built on hype. She’s built on work.

“Split-T doesn’t sign potential without purpose. This is about development, opportunity and domination – done the right way.

“Welcome to the family [of] Split-T, Sheilla.”

While George is no stranger to overseas promoters, the collaboration with Cohen is George’s first international joint venture in a management capacity.

However, he doesn’t want to make a big fuss about it and said he was looking forward to the future.

“Exciting times ahead,” George said.

Yama said she believed the collaboration would bring along “life-changing moments”.

“God works wonders and I just feel blessed to be given this opportunity that’s about to open a lot of doors.”

BX-9 promoter Oz Jabur, who promoted Yama’s last fight in June and had trouble finding an opponent for a fight in December, said there was no bad blood and he was happy for Yama.

He hopes to work with the team in the future.

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.