Reece Papuni

Last updated

Reece Papuni
Reece Papuni.jpg
Born (1987-10-02) 2 October 1987 (age 35)
Christchurch, New Zealand
Residence Christchurch, 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)
Stance Orthodox
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]

Contents

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

Professional boxing titles

Professional boxing record

17 fights14 wins3 losses
By knockout73
By decision70
Draws0
Res.RecordOpponentTypeRd., TimeDateLocationNotes
Win14–3 Flag of New Zealand.svg Alex Tzinavos UD 6 2019-11-9 Flag of New Zealand.svg Trafalgar Centre, Nelson, New Zealand
Lose13–3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Blake Caparello TKO 8, (10) 2019-08-9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg The Melbourne Pavilion, Flemington, Victoria, AustraliaFor WBA Oceania light heavyweight title
Lose13–2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Faris Chevalier TKO 9, (10) 2:202016-09-10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mansfield Tavern, Mansfield, Queensland, AustraliaFor vacant Australasian super middleweight title
Win13–1 Flag of New Zealand.svg Joshua Tai MD 82016-03-05 Flag of New Zealand.svg Addington Raceway, Christchurch, New Zealand
Win12–1 Flag of New Zealand.svg Robert Berridge SD 4, (3)2015-11-03 Flag of New Zealand.svg SkyCity Convention Centre, Auckland, New ZealandSuper 8 Four Man Light Heavyweight Tournament Final
Original result ended in a draw so it went to an extra round.
Win11–1 Flag of New Zealand.svg Brad Riddell UD 4, (3)2015-11-03 Flag of New Zealand.svg SkyCity Convention Centre, Auckland, New ZealandSuper 8 Four Man Light Heavyweight Tournament Semi-Final
Original result ended in a draw so it went to an extra round.
Win10–1 Flag of Samoa.svg Tony Iapesa TKO 5, (8)2015-09-12 Flag of New Zealand.svg Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, New Zealand
Loss9–1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Trent Broadhurst TKO 5, (10) 2:192015-06-19 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane, AustraliaFor vacant WBA Oceania light heavyweight title
Win9–0 Flag of New Zealand.svg Mike Junior Kapi KO 2, (8) 0:372014-11-22 Flag of New Zealand.svg Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, New Zealand
Win8–0 Flag of New Zealand.svg Sam Rapira TKO 4, (10)2014-10-16 Flag of New Zealand.svg The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New ZealandWon NZNBF light heavyweight title
Win7–0 Flag of New Zealand.svg Eddie Lenart TKO 6, (6)2014-04-04 Flag of New Zealand.svg Cathedral Square, Christchurch, New Zealand
Win6–0 Flag of New Zealand.svg Avefu'a Iakopo Jnr TKO 1, 6 2:532014-02-28 Flag of New Zealand.svg Hornby Working Men's Club, Christchurch, New Zealand
Win5–0 Flag of Tonga.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg Scott Taliauli TKO 3, 62013-11-01 Flag of New Zealand.svg Wilding Park, Christchurch, New Zealand
Win4–0 Flag of New Zealand.svg Andrew Robinson UD 102013-07-20 Flag of New Zealand.svg Roy Stokes Hall, Christchurch, New ZealandWon vacant World Boxing Federation Oceania light heavyweight title
Win3–0 Flag of New Zealand.svg Ritchie Harris TKO 1, (6) 2:152013-02-28 Flag of New Zealand.svg Hornby Working Men's Club, Christchurch, New Zealand
Win2–0 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jacques Marsters UD 62012-09-06 Flag of New Zealand.svg Hornby Working Men's Club, Christchurch, New Zealand
Win1–0 Flag of New Zealand.svg John Roil UD 62012-04-12 Flag of New Zealand.svg Hornby Working Men's Club, Christchurch, New Zealand

Personal life

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

Awards and recognitions

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References

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Vacant WBF Oceania Light Heavyweight
Title

20 July 2013 – 20 July 2014
Vacant
Preceded by NZNBF Light Heavyweight
Title

16 October 2014 – Present
Incumbent