Reece Papuni
Born (1987-10-02) 2 October 1987
Christchurch, New Zealand
ResidenceChristchurch, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealand
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight77 kg (170 lb; 12 st 2 lb)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Reach185 cm (72.8 in)
StanceOrthodox
Years active2012–present
Professional boxing record
Total17
Wins14
By knockout7
Losses3
By knockout3
Draws0
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Last updated on: 28 January 2017

Reece Papuni (born 2 October 1987) is a New Zealand professional boxer. As an amateur, he reached the quarterfinals of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.[1][2][3]

Papuni is a former New Zealand national Light Heavyweight champion when he defeated Sam Rapira for the title in October 2014.[4] Papuni is trained by well known and highly accomplished boxing trainer, Phil Shatford.[5][6]

Amateur career

During his amateur career, Papuni got to fight on a David Tua undercard as an amateur when Papuni took on Tyson Sykes on the Tua vs Barrett II fight card.[7] Papuni was considered very hopeful to go to the 2012 olympics.[8]

Professional boxing career

Early professional career

In 2013, Papuni took on Scott Taliauli at the Wilding Park.[9] Papuni won the fight by third round stoppage. In April 2014, Papuni took on MMA fighter Eddie Lenart. Papuni stated he did not know his opponent.[10] Papuni won the fight by sixth round stoppage.

Papuni vs Rapira

In October 2014, Papuni took on one of his biggest rivals of his careers, Sam Rapira for the New Zealand national (NZNBF version) Light Heavyweight title on a Joseph Parker undercard,[11] promoted by Duco Events.[12] Rapira was the defending champion.[13] The two has fought multiple times during their amateurs career.[14][15] Papuni won the fight by stoppage in the fourth round, one of his biggest wins of his career.[16]

WBA Regional title fight, Christchurch return

Papuni was originally scheduled to fight on another Joseph Parker undercard with Duco events in March 2015,[17] however, the fight did not go ahead. In June 2015, Papuni took on Trent Broadhurst for the vacant WBA Oceania Light Heavyweight title.[18] Papuni took this big risk in hopes to reach the top 15 in the WBA.[19] Unfortunately, Papuni lost the fight by fifth round stoppage, first loss of his professional career.[20] In September 2019, Papuni took on Samoan boxer Tony Iapesa at Horncastle Arena in Christchurch. Papuni won the fight by fifth round stoppage. The event raised $183,000 for charity.[21]

Super 8 Four Man Tournament

In early November 2015, Papuni Took part in the Four man Tournament.[22] Papuni joined Robert Berridge, Sefo Falekaono and Brad Riddell in the tournament.[23][24][25][26] Papuni Won the Tournament, winning against Brad Riddell and Robert Berridge.[27][28][29][30]

Hometown return, Australasian title, retirement

In March 2016, Papuni took on Joshua Tai at the Addington Raceway. Papuni won the fight by Majority Decision. Papuni at the time contemplated moving to Australia to improve his career.[31] In September 2016, Papuni took on Faris Chevalier for the ANBF Australasian Super Middleweight title.[32] Papuni lost the fight by ninth round stoppage.

After three years from being away from the ring, Papuni took on Blake Caparello for the WBA Oceania Light Heavyweight title.[33] Caparello won the fight by eighth round stoppage. In November 2019, Papuni returned to the ring when he took on Alex Tzinavos in Nelson. Papuni won the fight by Unanimous Decision, giving him his first win in over three years.[34]

Amateur boxing titles

  • 2003 New Zealand Amateur Champion (Junior 81 kg) [35]
  • 2009 New Zealand Amateur 81 kg Champion[36]
  • 2010 Jameson Belt (Most scientific senior male) 76th Winner[37]
  • 2010 New Zealand Amateur 81 kg Champion
  • 2011 New Zealand Amateur 81 kg Champion

Professional boxing titles

Professional boxing record

17 fights 14 wins 3 losses
By knockout 7 3
By decision 7 0
Draws 0

Personal life

Papuni is Māori with ancestry of Ngā Rauru, Ngāi Tahu, and Ngāti Porou.[38]

Awards and recognitions

  • 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Returning Boxer of the year (Nominated)[39][40][41]

References

  1. ↑ "Commonwealth Games Results". Commonwealth Games. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  2. ↑ "Olympic Profile". New Zealand Olympic Team. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  3. ↑ "So where to now for New Zealand boxing?". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  4. ↑ "Joseph Parker v Sherman Williams". Getty Images. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  5. ↑ "Boxing coach Phil Shatford says honours should be shared". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  6. ↑ "Fitzy fights on for new home". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  7. ↑ "Undercards Announced For Tua Vrs Barrett II Fight". Info News. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  8. ↑ "Bout major career test for Heads". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  9. ↑ "Bowyn Morgan gets first major regional title opportunity". Ring News. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  10. ↑ Richens, Matt. "Reece Papuni ready to rumble in the rubble". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  11. ↑ "Unusually bold Parker predicts knockout win". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  12. ↑ Richens, Matt. "Boxer Reece Papuni shows he is the real deal". Stuff. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  13. 1 2 Johnstone, Duncan. "Reece Papuni's next fight set to be a knockout". Stuff. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  14. ↑ "Rapira takes on Carr in trans-Tasman bout". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  15. ↑ "Boxing: Huge numbers for nationals". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  16. ↑ Bird, Tony. "Sam Rapira wants to settle score with Papuni". Stuff. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  17. ↑ "Joseph Parker's next fight - Auckland, March 5". Scoop. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  18. ↑ "Reece Papuni on The Hunt For a High WBA Rating". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  19. ↑ "WBA Title Fights This Weekend". WBA. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  20. ↑ "Reece Papuni loses for first time as a pro". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  21. ↑ "Battle of the Rebuild raises $183,000 for two charities". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  22. ↑ "Boxing: From street fights to Fight Night". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  23. ↑ Wilson, Clay. "Reece Papuni excited for Super 8 event and chance to press claims overseas". Stuff. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  24. ↑ "Boxrec Full event". Boxrec. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  25. ↑ "Super 8 Fight Night". VSLIVE. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  26. ↑ "Kickboxing champ helps finalise Super 8 lineup". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  27. ↑ "Super 8 light heavyweight four-man division looking fierce". Te Ao Maori TV. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  28. ↑ "Video: Reece Papuni beats Rob Berridge for Super 8 light heavyweight title". Newshub. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  29. ↑ "Berridge meets match". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  30. ↑ "ALVAREZ KEEPING HIS EYES ON THE PRIZE DESPITE PREPARING FOR NEW OPPONENT". Premier Boxing Champions. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  31. ↑ "Reece Papuni looking to shift across the Tasman to boost boxing career". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  32. ↑ "Coasting over for boxer Reece Papuni as career gets serious with title fight". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  33. ↑ "Caparello and Papuni Make Weight". WBA Oceania. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  34. ↑ "Pro boxing returns to Nelson". Nelson Weekly. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  35. ↑ "New Zealand Amatuer [sic] Champions History". Boxingnz. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  36. ↑ "New Zealand Amatuer [sic] Champions History". Boxingnz. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  37. ↑ "Jameson Title History". Boxingnz. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  38. ↑ "Christchurch boxer Reece PAPUNI". Maori Sports Awards. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  39. ↑ "Gladrap Awards 2019". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  40. ↑ "New Zealand finally gets their own Boxing awards". Scoop. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  41. ↑ "2019 New Zealand Gladrap Boxing Award Winners". New Zealand Boxing Awards. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
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