Reece Papuni (born 2 October 1987) is a New Zealand

professional boxer Professional boxing, or prizefighting, is regulated, sanctioned boxing. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse that is divided between the boxers as determined by contract. Most professional bouts are supervised by a regulatory autho ...

. As an amateur, he reached the quarterfinals of the

2010 Commonwealth Games The 2010 Commonwealth Games (Hindi: 2010 राष्ट्रमण्डल खेल), officially known as the XIX Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Delhi 2010, was an international multi-sport event that was held in Delhi, India, f ...

. Papuni is a former New Zealand national Light Heavyweight champion when he defeated

Sam Rapira Sam Rapira (born 8 April 1987) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who last played for Toulouse Olympique in the Betfred Championship. He played as a . A New Zealand international representative he previously played ...

for the title in October 2014. Papuni is trained by well known and highly accomplished boxing trainer, Phil Shatford.

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. Papuni was considered very hopeful to go to the 2012 olympics.

Professional boxing career

Early professional career

In 2013, Papuni took on Scott Taliauli at the Wilding Park. 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. 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, promoted by

Duco Events Duco was a trade name assigned to a product line of automotive lacquer developed by the DuPont Company in the 1920s. Under the Duco brand, DuPont introduced the first quick drying multi-color line of nitrocellulose lacquers made especially for ...

. Rapira was the defending champion. The two has fought multiple times during their amateurs career. Papuni won the fight by stoppage in the fourth round, one of his biggest wins of his career.

WBA Regional title fight, Christchurch return

Papuni was originally scheduled to fight on another Joseph Parker undercard with Duco events in March 2015, however, the fight did not go ahead. On June 2015, Papuni took on Trent Broadhurst for the vacant WBA Oceania Light Heavyweight title. Papuni took this big risk in hopes to reach the top 15 in the WBA. Unfortunately, Papuni lost the fight by fifth round stoppage, first loss of his professional career. In September 2019, Papuni took on Samoan boxer Tony Iapesa at

Horncastle Arena Christchurch Arena is an indoor arena in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located in the suburb of Addington. It has gone through a series of name changes, the most recent of which prior to its current name having been Horncastle Arena. D ...

in Christchurch. Papuni won the fight by fifth round stoppage. The event raised $183,000 for charity.

Super 8 Four Man Tournament

In early November 2015, Papuni Took part in the Four man Tournament. Papuni joined

Robert Berridge Robert Berridge (born 22 November 1984) is a retired New Zealand professional light heavyweight boxer. Berridge is a boxer who has had over thirty fights, five boxing titles and has peaked at ninth on the World Boxing Organization and twelfth ...

, Sefo Falekaono and Brad Riddell in the tournament. Papuni Won the Tournament, winning against Brad Riddell and Robert Berridge.

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. In September 2016, Papuni took on Faris Chevalier for the ANBF Australasian Super Middleweight title. 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. 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.

Amateur boxing titles

*2003 New Zealand Amateur Champion (Junior 81 kg) *2009 New Zealand Amateur 81 kg Champion *2010 Jameson Belt (Most scientific senior male) 76th Winner *2010 New Zealand Amateur 81 kg Champion *2011 New Zealand Amateur 81 kg Champion

Professional boxing titles

*Tournament **

Super Eight Boxing Tournament The Super 8 Boxing Tournament is a professional boxing tournament that is held in New Zealand. Super 8 is owned by John McRae, who is the Managing director of VSLive. VS Live was formerly known as Sky Arena. Sky ARENA previously owned by SKY Tel ...

Winner (2015) *World Boxing Federation **WBF Oceania light heavyweight title (2013) * New Zealand National Boxing Federation **New Zealand National light heavyweight title(2014)

Professional boxing record

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Blake Caparello Blake Caparello (born 30 August 1985) is an Australian Light Heavyweight Professional Boxer. Challenged formidable Sergey Kovalev for his first World Title in 2014. Professional career Caparello made his professional debut at the age of 22 o ...

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Brad Riddell Bradley Stephen Riddell (born 30 September 1991) is a New Zealand mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist and former kickboxing, kickboxer, currently competing in the Lightweight (MMA), Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship ...

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Personal life

Papuni is Maori with decendents of

Ngā Rauru Ngā Rauru (also ''Ngā Rauru Kītahi'') is a Māori iwi in the South Taranaki region of New Zealand. In the 2006 census, 4,047 Māori claimed affiliation to Ngā Rauru, representing 12 hapu. History Early history The early history of Ngā Rau ...

Ngai Tahu Ngai (also called Múrungu or Enkai) is the monolithic Supreme God in the spirituality of the Kikuyu (or Gikuyu) and the closely related Embu, Meru and Kamba groups of Kenya, and the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania. Ngai is creator of the universe ...

, and

Ngāti Porou Ngāti Porou is a Māori iwi traditionally located in the East Cape and Gisborne regions of the North Island of New Zealand. Ngāti Porou is affiliated with the 28th Maori Battalion and has the second-largest affiliation of any iwi in New Zealan ...

Awards and recognitions

*2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Returning Boxer of the year (Nominated)

References

, - {{DEFAULTSORT:Papuni, Reece 1987 births Living people Boxers from Christchurch New Zealand male boxers Light-heavyweight boxers Boxers at the 2010 Commonwealth Games New Zealand professional boxing champions Commonwealth Games competitors for New Zealand