Coming off a win in March against Christchurch’s Jack Dickson, Waikato boxer Emile Richardson has been booked for one of the biggest domestic fights of the year.
Richardson will take on the current New Zealand national (Pro Box NZ version) middleweight champion Nicholas Benn, of Tauranga, on the next BX-9show on May 2 in Auckland.
Richardson has had some really good fights since his pro debut, with a win over kickboxer Hayden Todd in November, a win over Ioane Auvaa in December and, most recently, against Dickson, which was Richardson’s first stoppage win.
Richardson and Benn have similar experiences as they both come from an amateur boxing background and have fought similar opponents.
It is a risky fight for both boxers, as Benn has knockout power, while Richardson has been more active recently and has a longer amateur career.
Benn took a year off between 2024 and returned to the ring in December 2025, where he suffered his first loss – against Australian Benjamin Hussain.
Benn is trained by former top 10 world-ranked boxer Gunnar Jackson.
He was previously promoted by Tauranga boxing trainer Chris Walker.
Aside from the Richardson v Benn fight, BX-9 also confirmed other bouts.
Hamilton boxer Sheilla Yama will take on Chinese fighter Haini Mulataiaili for the vacant IBF International Super Lightweight title in what will be the main fight of the night.
BX-9 also confirmed six boxers for the BX-9 Welterweight Tournament.
They are South Sudan-born Australian resident Alex Lual, Auckland’s Leon Budgen, Hamilton’s Hamza Perwaisy, Napier’s Paul Tonga, South Island’s Dane Edge and Papua New Guinea’s John Ume.
Two spots are still up for contention.
Other fights confirmed on the card are Niuean boxer Duken Tutakitoa-Williams taking on Northland’s Remus Leaf, and the long-awaited debut of Mia Evans, taking on Papua New Guinea’s Goli Bali.
BX-9 will take place on May 2, at Auckland’s Eventfinda Stadium. Tickets will be on sale via Eventfinda.
This story originally stated that Benn was trained by Chris Walker. This was incorrect. Benn was previously promoted by him. The story has been amended accordingly.
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.
