# Sam Rapira (boxer)

Sam Rapira (born 2 November 1983) is a New Zealand boxing promoter and professional boxer.
Rapira had a very well credentialed amateur career, fighting 70 fights before turning pro. Rapira was his own promoter, promoting every fight he has had in New Plymouth.

## Amateur career

Rapira has fought in seventy amateur boxing bouts, fighting local stars like Reece Papuni and Gunnar Jackson, Australian Damien Hooper, and German Champion, Enrice Koelling. Rapira biggest win was at the 2011 Arafura Games where he won the silver medal in the 81 kg division. The biggest upset of the tournament was when Rapira defeated world ranked number one at the time Vijender Singh. Sam Rapira was the captain of the New Zealand Boxing team, which went on to win five Golds and three Silvers.

## Professional career
### New Zealand dream fights, international fights 2016

In July 2016, Rapira Announced that he will be self promoting his 8th show with Rapira taking on Robert Berridge in the main event. This is one of New Zealand's most talked about dream fight in the light heavyweight weight division. The bout took place at TSB Stadium in September 2016. Berridge won the bout by unanimous decision. After the bout Berridge commented on how poor referee David Craig (who is also President of New Zealand National Boxing Federation) officiated the fight, with the lack of control and not stepping in when there was too much holding or wrestling. On 29 October 2016, it was announced that Rapira would face Ryan Ford on 17 February 2017 for the Vacant UBO World Light Heavyweight Championship. He lost the fight via TKO in the ninth round.

### Retirement 2017 - 2018

On 5 April 2017, Rapira announced his retirement fight which will take place on 26 May against undefeated boxer, Tipene Maniapoto. Rapira final undercard will include the debut of Tania Reid going up against Wendy Talbot and Taranaki's Simon Jullen going against Taihiti's Tautu Brillant. A few days before the bout, Rapira announce that the fight was upgraded to a title bout for the PABA title. Rapira won the bout by Unanimous Decision with Maniapoto being knocked down multiple times throughout the bout. On 19 May 2018, Rapria made his return to the ring to take on Ratu Dawai for the New Zealand National (PBCNZ version) Light Heavyweight title. Rapira lost the fight by TKO when his trainer threw in the towel in round seven, ending the career for Rapira. Since retiring from the ring, Rapira remains an active promoter, putting on regular boxing events throughout the year.

### Health problems after boxing

Since retiring from boxing, Rapira has been diagnosed with Dementia Pugilistica also known as Chronic traumatic encephalopathy. He stated he started feeling the CTE symptoms before his last fight in 2018. Rapira is urging people taking part in combat sports to use the best protective equipment available.

## Championships

* New Zealand National Boxing Federation
** New Zealand National Light Heavyweight Title (174¼ Ibs)
* International Boxing Organization
** IBO Asia Pacific Light Heavyweight Title (173¾ Ibs)
* World Boxing Association
** PABA Light Heavyweight Title

## Professional boxing record

| 21 fights | 16 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 10 | 3 |
| By decision | 6 | 2 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 21 | Lose | 16–5 | Ratu Dawai | TKO | 7 (10), 1:18 | 19 May 2018 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | Vacant New Zealand National (PBCNZ version) Light Heavyweight Title |
| 20 | Win | 16–4 | Tipene Maniapoto | UD | 10 | 26 May 2017 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | Won Vacant PABA Light Heavyweight Title |
| 19 | Loss | 15–4 | Ryan Ford | TKO | 9 (12), 2:09 | 17 February 2017 | Foochow Building, Singapore | For Vacant UBO World Light Heavyweight Title |
| 18 | Lose | 15–3 | Robert Berridge | UD | 8 | 16 September 2016 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | |
| 17 | Win | 15–2 | Craig Turner | TKO | 4 (6) | 30 June 2016 | Standfords Event Centre, Ōpunake, New Zealand | |
| 16 | Win | 14–2 | Togasilimai Letoa | UD | 8 | 2 April 2016 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | |
| 15 | Win | 13–2 | Vaimoli Ioelu | UD | 4 | 25 February 2016 | ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand | |
| 14 | Win | 12–2 | Sivan Hermez | TKO | 4 (6) | 12 December 2015 | The Hub, Hawera New Zealand | |
| 13 | Loss | 11–2 | Rob Powdrill | SD | 10 | 22 August 2015 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | For Vacant IBO Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Title |
| 12 | Win | 11–1 | Sam Loli | UD | 6 | 26 June 2015 | Standfords Event Centre, Ōpunake, New Zealand | |
| 11 | Win | 10–1 | Dean Purdon | KO | 3 (10) 2:46 | 18 April 2015 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | Won Vacant IBO Asia Pacific Light Heavyweight Title |
| 10 | Win | 9–1 | Edwin Samy | SD | 6 | 7 February 2015 | War Memorial Hall, Waitara, New Zealand | |
| 9 | Loss | 8–1 | Reece Papuni | TKO | 4 (10) | 16 October 2014 | The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand | Lost New Zealand National (NZNBF version) Light Heavyweight Title |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Richard Hackney | KO | 5 (10) | 12 September 2014 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | Won Vacant New Zealand National (NZNBF version) Light Heavyweight Title |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Taito Ratuere | UD | 6 | 4 June 2014 | The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Kashif Mumtaz | TKO | 2 (6) 2:43 | 14 February 2014 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Moses Ioelu | KO | 4 (6) | 13 December 2013 | YMCA Gymnasium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Isaia Maku Jnr | TKO | 1 (6) 2:21 | 16 November 2013 | Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, New Zealand | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Atalili Fai | TKO | 3 (4) | 10 October 2013 | The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Viliami Toafi | TKO | 1 (4) 2:09 | 13 June 2013 | The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Scott Taliauli | TKO | 3 (4) 0:35 | 6 April 2013 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | |

## Personal life and charity work

Born in, New Plymouth, New Zealand, Rapira is the cousin of New Zealand rugby league international, Sam Rapira. Rapira, his brother Jake and their co-owned boxing gym do regular charity work for the community and SPCA. Their biggest contribution is organizing food banks for the winter months and Christmas Season. They donate to the community including the food banks on average a hundred times a month.

## Awards and recognitions

* 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Event of the year (Won)