# New Zealand Professional Boxing Association

New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA) is one of the four governing bodies for the sport of professional boxing in New Zealand. NZPBA is a non-profit organisation.

## History

The body was founded as South Pacific Boxing Association, with the name changed to New Zealand Professional Boxing Association Inc. in 1984 at its AGM. The new name was greeted and accepted by the World Bodies and Commonwealth Boxing Council.
In 2006, NZPBA had its first female national champion with Daniella Smith defeating Sue Glassey for the super welterweight title. Smith is New Zealand's second professional national champion.
In April 2016, NZPBA sanctioned New Zealand's first major world title fight (from one of the four major sanctioning bodies) for the WBC female middleweight title with Kali Reis defeating Maricela Cornejo by split decision. The fight night also featured two of New Zealand's first WBC Silver title fights with Melissa St. Vil defeating Baby Nansen and Ronica Jeffrey defeating Gentiane Lupi. On the same night, NZPBA had New Zealand's first female professional boxing referee, with Shelley Ashton officiating Nailini Helu vs. Kirsty Lupeamanu.

## Controversy

Former NZPBA President Lance Revill is known for sharing his opinions with New Zealand's local media, causing major scrutiny to the association. He drew particular attention for his comments directed at Joseph Parker. Since the beginning of Parker's career, Revill has made regular comments about Parker, including when he turned pro, alleging that Parker's promoters were only interested in money, that Parker was too hyped up and that Parker didn't win his world title fight in December 2016. In February 2017, it was announced that due to backlash against his comments against Parker, Revill resigned as president of NZPBA. Vice President John Conway was named interim president.
In 2018, NZPBA officiated a corporate boxing event in Christchurch in November where first-time corporate boxer Kain Parsons was knocked unconscious. Kain Parsons was taken to Christchurch Hospital's intensive care unit, but he died four days later after the event. The vice president of the organisation at the time, Kevin Pyne, was the referee of the fight. Former NZPBA President Lance Revill stated that he believed the fight should have been stopped earlier. In 2019, Kevin Pyne was elected president of NZPBA, despite being the referee of the fight.

## Current roles
### Board members

President: Kylie Bell
Vice President: 1st Jo Gallagher, 2nd Barry Galbraith
National Secretary: Tui Gallagher
National Treasurer: James Dellows
Regional Rep - Canterbury: Kevin Pyne
Regional Rep - Wellington/Lower North Island: Joel Revill
Regional Rep - BOP/Waikato: Mike Francis
Regional Rep - Northland/Auckland: John Conway

## Current national champions
### Men

| Weight class: | NZPBA Champion: | NZPBA Reign began: |
| Heavyweight | Junior Fa | 18 March 2017 |
| Cruiserweight | Asher Derbyshire | 29 April 2016 |
| Light-heavyweight | Vacant | — |
| Super-middleweight | Jonathan Taylor | 12 November 2016 |
| Middleweight | Vacant | — |
| Super-welterweight | Bowyn Morgan | 22 June 2018 |
| Welterweight | Vacant | — |
| Super-lightweight | Vacant | — |
| Lightweight | Nort Beauchamp | 4 May 2019 |

### Women

| Weight class: | NZPBA Champion: | NZPBA Reign began: |
| Heavyweight | Sarah Long | 13 October 2018 |
| Light-heavyweight | Lani Daniels | 18 November 2017 |
| Super-welterweight | Daniella Smith | 6 May 2006 |
| Welterweight | Daniella Smith | 13 December 2008 |
| Lightweight | Mea Motu | 26 March 2021 |
| Super-featherweight | Rebecca Jennings | 10 September 2016 |
| Bantamweight | Christine Gillespie | 2 November 2024 |

## Current provincial champions
### NZPBA Central title
#### Heavyweight Men

| Name | Beginning of Reign | Opponent | Defences |
| Kiki Toa Leutele | 6 October 2018 | Thomas Russell | 0 |

#### Middleweight Men

| Name | Beginning of Reign | Opponent | Defences |
| Gunnar Jackson | 24 November 2018 | Blake Bell | 0 |