# Sequita Hemingway

Sequita Hemingway (born 7 January 1982) is a New Zealand professional boxer, rugby league and rugby union player. She is of Māori descent and identifies as a member of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāi Tūhoe iwi. She is the second female to become a two time heavyweight New Zealand national boxing champion.
Hemingway peaked in the world rankings when she reached third in the WBA, first in the IBO, and fourth on BoxRec.

## Professional boxing career
### Debut against World Ranked boxer 2021

Filipo Saua out of Snap Back Boxing is Hemingways trainer since making her professional debut. Hemingway made her professional debut against world ranked boxer Alrie Meleisea. Before making her professional debut, she had only a few corporate fights with no amateur experience. Hemingway won the fight by majority decision which was considered a massive upset. After the fight, it was reported that Hemingway was in line for a New Zealand title. On July 23, 2021, it was announced that Hemingway would compete at New Zealand's largest rugby stadium, Eden Park. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the event was postponed to 29 April 2022 and ended up being held at ABA Stadium.

### Lani Daniels 2022

Hemingway took on former world title challenger Lani Daniels. She suffered her first loss against Daniels, losing by unanimous decision. Hemingway was originally scheduled to fight Daniels again in a rematch for a New Zealand title, however, due to injury Hemingway had to pull out of the fight. In July 2022, Hemingway received her first major world ranking where she was ranked 6th with the WBA in the Light Heavyweight division, which is WBA's version of the Heavyweight division.

### Double Rematches 2022 - 2023

In October 2022, it was announced that a rematch would happen between Meleisea and Hemingway in December for the vacant Pro Box NZ New Zealand National heavyweight title. At this time Hemingway is ranked 3rd in the WBA. The winner of the Meleisea vs Hemingway fight would potentially lead to either a world title fight or at least a world title eliminator. Leading into the fight, Hemingway had a 12 week training camp to prepare for her fight against Meleisea. Meleisea won the fight by unanimous decision, making her a two time New Zealand heavyweight champion. Hemingway stated she be interest in either a rematch with Meleisea or a fight against Nailini Helu. In January 2023, it was announced that negotiations were happening to have a rematch with Lani Daniels. On 14 January, the fight was confirmed and will be for the ANBF Australasian Heavyweight title. On March 10, Daniels won the fight against Hemingway by unanimous decision, winning the ANBF Australasian Heavyweight title.

## Boxing titles

* Pro Box NZ
** New Zealand National Heavyweight title
* New Zealand National Boxing Federation
** New Zealand National Heavyweight title

## Professional boxing records

| 10 fights | 4 wins | 6 losses |
| By decision | 4 | 6 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 10 | Win | 4–6 | Maria Hunt | UD | 8 | 13 Dec 2024 | TET MultiSports Centre, Stratford, New Zealand | Defended New Zealand national (Pro Box NZ version) Heavyweight title |
| 9 | Win | 3–6 | Cheyenne Whaanga | MD | 6 | 5 Sep 2024 | ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand | Won vacant New Zealand national (NZNBF version) Heavyweight title |
| 8 | Loss | 2–6 | Tinta Smith | SD | 8 | 11 May 2024 | Te Rapa Racecourse, Hamilton, New Zealand | Lost vacant New Zealand national (PBCNZ version) Crusierweight title |
| 7 | Loss | 2–5 | Che Kenneally | UD | 8 | 23 Mar 2024 | JBS Basketball Arena, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia | Lost ANBF Australasian Heavyweight title |
| 6 | Loss | 2–4 | Che Kenneally | SD | 6 | 14 Oct 2023 | Gold Coast Recreation Precinct, Palm Beach, Queensland, Australia | Lost vacant ANBF Australasian Heavyweight title |
| 5 | Win | 2–3 | Maria Hunt | UD | 8 | 19 Aug 2023 | Awapuni Rcecource Function Room, Awapuni, New Zealand | Won vacant New Zealand National (Pro Box NZ version) Heavyweight title |
| 4 | Loss | 1–3 | Lani Daniels | UD | 8 | 10 Mar 2023 | ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand | vacant ANBF Australasian Heavyweight title |
| 3 | Loss | 1–2 | Alrie Meleisea | UD | 8 | 9 Dec 2022 | Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand | vacant New Zealand national (Pro Box NZ version) Heavyweight title |
| 2 | Loss | 1–1 | Lani Daniels | UD | 6 | 30 Apr 2022 | ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Alrie Meleisea | MD | 4 | 10 Jul 2021 | The Plaza, Putāruru, New Zealand | |

## Rugby career
### Rugby league

Hemingway made her rugby league debut with Linton Cobras in Wellington. In this time, her team won the Wellington regional title twice in a row. She joined the Mid Central Vipers in 2016.

### Rugby union

Before she made her debut with Farah Palmer Cup team Manawatu Cyclones, she came from the local rugby club Kia Toa RFC. Hemingway made the selections for Manawatu Cyclones for the 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons.

## Personal life

Hemingway is of Māori descent, and affiliates to Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāi Tūhoe.

## Awards

* New Zealand Boxing Awards
** Upset of the year (Won)
** Debut of the year (Won)
** Female Newcomer of the year (Won)
** Rugby Boxer of the year (Won)