Matamata boxer Sonny Morini claims PBCNZ welterweight crown

Matamata boxer Sonny Morini, 20, has won the New Zealand national PBCNZ Welterweight title. Photo / Alina Peach, Peach Boxing

Matamata boxer Sonny Morini, 20, has won the New Zealand national PBCNZ Welterweight title.

Morini won by stopping Dane Edge in the fourth round on Saturday.

It was an impressive night at Auckland’s ABA Stadium, where all four scheduled professional boxing fights ended by stoppage.

Morini came in at 66.3 kgs and put on an impressive and aggressive performance against the South Island kickboxer turned boxer, Edge.

But Edge did not make it too easy for Morini as they played a heavy-hitting chess match in the first round.

As the fight continued, the more in favour it was for Morini, as he got better; landing his shots at the perfect time and creating opportunities that would punish Edge.

With only 50 seconds to go in round four, Morini landed an impressive liver shot, which sent Edge to the floor for the first time.

However, Edge showed his toughness and got up.

Morini smelled blood and went for the knockout, until Edge fell to the floor again, forcing the referee to wave off the fight.

It was an impressive win for Morini, as he became the first person to stop Edge in a professional boxing fight.

Not even Morini’s gym mate, Dylan Archer, achieved this in his fight last year with Edge.

This means Morini becomes the first New Zealand welterweight champion in four years since the last champion, Bowyn Morgan, retired in 2021.

Sonny Morini is the first New Zealand welterweight champion in four years since the last champion, Bowyn Morgan, retired in 2021. Photo / Alina Peach, Peach Boxing

Another fight on Saturday saw Kyan Hand, of Whangaparaoa, make his professional boxing debut.

He defeated journeyman Sivan Hermez by first-round TKO.

Auckland boxer Emma Nesbitt was originally scheduled to take on Indian fighter Monika Singh, however, Singh pulled out at the last minute due to injury.

Instead, Nesbitt took on Katilyn Marrow, of Hamilton, who agreed to the fight with less than two weeks’ notice.

Nesbitt dominated and won the fight by stoppage in the fourth and final round.

Finally, Mea Motu defended her WBA Oceania Super Featherweight title against Indian knockout artist Manjot Rattu.

This is an important fight for Motu, as it was announced that she signed with Jake Paul.

Motu slaughtered her opponent, stopping her within 15 seconds of round one, her fastest stoppage yet.

It is expected she will fight for a world title next and possibly be ranked 1st in the WBA in the next rankings update.

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.