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Mea Motu
Mea Motu with first New Zealand title
Born
Marea Kirimiria Motu

Pukepoto, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealand
Other namesThe Nightmea
Statistics
Weight(s)Super Lightweight
Lightweight
Super Featherweight
Featherweight
Super Bantamweight
Boxing record[1]
Total fights20
Wins20
Wins by KO8
Losses0
Draws0
Websitehttps://peachboxing.co.nz/

Marea Kirimiria Motu (30 December 1989 Pukepoto, New Zealand) is a New Zealand Maori Professional Boxer.

Motu is the current IBO World Super Bantamweight Champion.[2] She is a four division New Zealand champion, holding more New Zealand titles than any other female boxer.[3] She broke the 14 year record set by Daniella Smith for holding the most titles in February 2022.[4]

Amateur boxing

[edit]

Motu discovered boxing at the age of 13.[5] Motu is a five time New Zealand amateur champion, winning two junior titles, and three elite senior titles.[6] During her amateur career, Motu was trained by her mother Aloma Browne and fought alongside her sister Sally Motu, who also won a New Zealand National title.[7] Motu was also trained by Chris Martin.[8] Motu won an World boxing event that was open invertational called the Ringside Bowl World Championship.[9] Motu sister Sally fought at the Golden Gloves event in Queensland in 2016, unfortuanately Mea was unable to compete due to injury.[10] Motu meet Isaac Peach during her amateur boxing years. Since 2020, Peach has been Motu manager and trainer out of Peach Boxing.[11]

Professional boxing

[edit]

Professional debut, four wins in three months 2020

[edit]

Motu made her professional boxing debut against City Kickboxing Kickboxer Wendy Talbot in October 2020.[12] Motu won the fight by unanimous decision.[13] Motu made her television fight debut when she took on Sally Kaokao at Sky City Theatre in November 2020.[14] Motu won the fight in quick fashion, winning by stoppage in the second round for her first TKO win.[15] In December 2020, Motu fought Ayisha Abied for the first time out of the three fight they have in the future. Motu won the fight by Unanimous Decision.[16] Motu would return to television her next fight in late December 2020 against Katala Hansen. Motu would finish the fight in quick fashion, finishing the fight in 18 seconds.[17]

Two time New Zealand Champion 2021

[edit]

In February 2021, Motu would take on Ayisha Abied for the second time in their trilogy. Motu won the fight by Unanimous Decision with her fighting the full six rounds for the first time.[18] In March 2021, Motu took on Tania Reid for the New Zealand National Lightweight title.[19] Reid was well known for being the first ever New Zealand female to win the Australasian title.[12] Motu won the fight by third round stoppage in dominating fashion winning her first professional boxing title.[20] In April 2021, Motu return to television when she fought Toni Moki. Motu won the fight by first round stoppage.[21] After the fight, Motu reach the ranking of 1st on Boxrec and 3rd P4P on Boxrec.[22] Motu would go on to fight Michaela Jenkins back to back in May and July 2021 with the second fight for the New Zealand national Super Lightweight title.[23] Jenkins is a former New Zealand National (Pro Box NZ version) Welterweight champion which she won on a Joseph Parker undercard in December 2018.[24][25] Motu will not only win both fights against Jenkins, she will also capture her second New Zealand title, but this time in the Super Lightweight division.[26] After the fight, Motu was originally scheduled to fight for a WBA regional title against Australian Beck Hawker.[27] Motu was also scheduled to fight Gentiane Lupi for the WBU World title.[28] However, due to COVID-19 Lockdowns, both fights got cancelled. In August 2021, Motu finished off her year with a fight against Maori professional boxer Rangi Hetet.[29] Motu won the fight by Split Decision.

Record Breaking New Zealand Champion, World Ranked 2022

[edit]

In February 2022, Motu took on Ayisha Abied for the New Zealand National Featherweight title.[30] If Motu won the fight, she would break a 14-year record that Daniella Smith set that was tied with Lani Daniels, Geovana Peres, and herself.[31] Motu won the fight by first round Knockout winning her third professional boxing title.[32] In February 2022, it was announced a super fight between Motu and Baby Nansen will happen in 2022 as soon as the Auckland lockdowns were over.[33] Motu and Nansen fought on 30 April for the New Zealand National Super Featherweight title[3][34] The fight itself was messy and close, however, Motu won the fight capturing her fourth New Zealand title.[35][36] After the fight, Motu made her intentions clear that she wanted to take on New Zealand born Australian, IBF World Super Bantamweight champion Cherneka Johnson. If a fight between Motu and Johnson happened for the world title, it would be the first time in boxing history that two Maori women would compete for a World title.[37] It would be second time for two New Zealand women to compete for a world title behind Lani Daniels vs Geovana Peres for the WBO World title.[38] In June 2022, Motu received her first major international ranking, with her being ranked 10th in the IBF Junior Lightweight division.[39] On 19 August, Motu took on Thailand National Bantamweight champion Thanchanok Phanan for the vacant PBCNZ International Featherweight title.[40] Motu stated she aims to make an impression by knocking out her opponent.[41] Motu won the fight by 4th round stoppage.[42] On 21 October, Motu took on former WBC World Bantamweight champion Usanakorn Thawilsuhannawang. This is the toughest and highest credential boxer Motu has fought so far in her career.[43] Motu won the fight by Unanimous Decision winning every round of the fight.[44] On 26 November, for the first time in her professional career, Motu fought overseas against undefeated Iran boxer Nastaran Fathi. This is the first time she will fight for a major regional title.[45] Motu won the fight by Split Decision, winning the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental super bantamweight title. However, Motu received a bad cut during the fight.[46] At the end of December 2022, Motu finished her boxing 2022 year with receiving a ranking of 7th[47] in the WBA and 16th in the WBC in the Super Bantamweight division.[48]

Third Maori World Champion 2023

[edit]

In March 2023, it was announced that Mea Motu will fight for the vacant IBO World super bantamweight title against canadian boxer Tania Walters.[49] This will be the first time that boxing promoter Dean Lonergan will have a female main event on his boxing shows.[50] On 27 April 2023, Mea Motu won the fight by unanimous decision, becoming the third maori to win a World Boxing title.[51] In August 2023, Motu took on Malawian boxer Ellen Simwaka to defend her IBO World title in a double header with Lani Daniels defending her World title on the same card.[52] Motu won the fight by unanimous decision, overcoming a serious injury with a dislocated shoulder in the first round.[53] For her last fight of 2023, she will fight for the first time in her boxing career in her hometown of Northland.[54] On 7 November, it was announced that the event was sold out.[55] Motu will take on Indian boxer Chandni Mehra.[56] Motu won the fight by Unanimous decision.[57] In February 2024, Motu and Peach Boxing announced their departure with Dean Lonergan D&L Events and had signed with No Limit Boxing under Matt and George Rose.[58]

World title unification oppotunity 2024 - present

[edit]

Motu was scheduled to challenge IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine super-bantamweight World champion Ellie Scotney at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England, on 26 October 2024,[59] but Scotney withdrew from the fight due to injury.[60]

On 4 October 2024, Motu defeated Shannon O'Connell via stoppage in the fourth round of their scheduled eight round contest at The Star in Sydney, Australia.[61][62]

Boxing titles

[edit]

Amateur titles

[edit]
  • New Zealand National Amateur Championships[63][64]
    • 2002 New Zealand Junior Flyweight Gold Medalist
    • 2005 New Zealand Junior Super Lightweight Gold Medalist
    • 2006 New Zealand Super Lightweight Gold Medalist (unopposed)
    • 2007 New Zealand Lightweight Silver Medalist
    • 2015 New Zealand Featherweight Gold Medalist
    • 2016 New Zealand Bantamweight Silver Medalist
    • 2017 New Zealand Bantamweight Gold Medalist

Professional titles

[edit]

Professional boxing record

[edit]
20 fights 20 wins 0 losses
By knockout 8 0
By decision 12 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
20 Win 20–0 Shannon O'Connell TKO 4 (8) 1.02 4 October 2024 The Star, Sydney, Australia
19 Win 19–0 Noppaket Srisawas TKO 2 (8) 0.59 26 April 2024 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
18 Win 18–0 Chandni Mehra UD 10 2 Dec 2023 McKay Stadium, Whangarei, New Zealand Defended IBO Super Bantamweight World title
17 Win 17–0 Ellen Simwaka UD 10 26 Aug 2023 Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Defended IBO Super Bantamweight World title
16 Win 16–0 Tania Walters UD 10 27 Apr 2023 Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Won vacant IBO Super Bantamweight World title
15 Win 15–0 Nastaran Fathi SD 8 26 Nov 2022 Hilton Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Won vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental Super Bantamweight title
14 Win 14–0 Usanakorn Thawilsuhannawang UD 8 21 Oct 2022 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Defended PBCNZ International Featherweight title
13 Win 13–0 Thanchanok Phanan TKO 4 (8) 1:39 19 Aug 2022 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Won vacant PBCNZ International Featherweight title
12 Win 12–0 Baby Nansen UD 8 30 Apr 2022 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Won vacant New Zealand National (PBCNZ version) Super Featherweight title
11 Win 11–0 Ayisha Abied KO 1 (8) 1:25 12 Feb 2022 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Won vacant New Zealand National (PBCNZ version) Featherweight title
10 Win 10–0 Rangi Hetet SD 5 7 Aug 2021 Te Rapa Racecourse, Hamilton, New Zealand
9 Win 9–0 Michaela Jenkins UD 8 3 Jul 2021 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Won vacant New Zealand National (PBCNZ version) Super Lightweight title
8 Win 8–0 Michaela Jenkins UD 4 8 May 2021 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
7 Win 7–0 Toni Moki TKO 1 (4), 1:59 9 Apr 2021 Sky City Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand
6 Win 6–0 Tania Reid TKO 3 (8) 26 Mar 2021 Takapuna Rugby Football Club, Auckland, New Zealand Won vacant New Zealand National (NZPBA version) Lightweight title
5 Win 5–0 Ayisha Abied UD 6 13 Feb 2021 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
4 Win 4–0 Katala Hansen TKO 1 (4) 0:18 19 Dec 2020 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
3 Win 3–0 Ayisha Abied UD 4 5 Dec 2020 Waitemata Rugby League Club, Auckland, New Zealand
2 Win 2–0 Sally Kaokao TKO 2 (4) 1:59 13 Nov 2020 Sky City Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand
1 Win 1–0 Wendy Talbot UD 4 17 Oct 2020 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand

Personal life

[edit]

Motu was born and raised in the small village of Pukepoto which is outside of Kaitaia.[65] Motu a New Zealand Maori with decedents of Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi.[23] Motu is a mother of four children,[66] with her eldest David a championship Bowler.[67] Motu was raised in the small town of Pukepoto. She moved to South Auckland when she was 10 years old.[5] Motu got pregnant with her first child at the age of 17 with her boyfriend at the time. She would eventually marry her boyfriend. She would go through bad times with her family when she was living homeless. Motu would leave her husband after years of domestic violence abuse and her husband went to prison.[5] For a short time, Motu moved to Australia where she met her new partner. This helped her turn her life around for the better. She moved back to New Zealand where she started train back in boxing.[5]

In 2024, she was forced to medically retire from Celebrity Treasure Island as her high muscle mass and lack of body fat made her susceptible to hypothermia and exposed underlying respiratory conditions after the team challenge in a cold and stormy conditions was cancelled with all results annulled.[68]

Awards

[edit]
  • New Zealand Boxing Awards[69][70]
    • 2020 Female Newcomer of the year (Won)
    • 2020 Debut of the year (Won)
    • 2020 Female Boxer of the year (Won)
    • 2020 Boxer of the year (Won)
    • 2021 Female Boxer of the year (Won)
    • 2021 New Zealand National Champion of the year (Won)
    • 2022 Most entertaining boxer of the year (Won)[71]
    • 2022 New Zealand National Champion of the year (Won)
    • 2022 Female Boxer of the year (Won)
    • 2022 New Zealand Boxer of the year (Won)
    • 2023 Most entertaining boxer of the year (Won)
    • 2023 Female Boxer of the year (Won)
    • 2023 New Zealand Boxer of the year (Won)
  • Te Tai Tokerau Māori Sports Awards
    • 2023 Te Tohu TaKaro Toa Wahine Outstanding Sportswoman Award (Nominated)[72]
  • Maori Sports Awards
    • 2023 Te Pikinga o Tawhaki Individual Māori World Champions (Won)[73]
  • Halberg Awards
    • 2023 High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year (Nominated)[74][75]
    • New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment of the Year(Nominated)[76]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Boxing record for Mea Motu". BoxRec.
  2. ^ "Boxer Mea Motu claims world title". Radio New Zealand. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b Wilson, Sam (15 May 2022). "'My dream': Mea Motu's burning ambition to grace the big stage". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  4. ^ Watt, Benjamin (13 February 2022). "Kaitaia's Mea Motu wins third boxing title and new NZ record". Northern Advocate. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d Wilson, Clay (6 October 2022). "Top boxer Mea Motu fights her way back from 'darkness' to surge into spotlight". RNZ. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Boxing NZ Champions". Boxing NZ. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  7. ^ "West Auckland sisters boxing their way to success". AUT Te Waha Nui. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  8. ^ "Boxing Alley fighters pursue spot in NZ amateur boxing team". Te Ao Maori. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Motu sisters box their way to success". Stuff NZ. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Motu unopposed at National Amateur Boxing competition". Te Ao Maori. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Maria Motu training at Peach Boxing". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  12. ^ a b Watt, Benjamin (4 March 2021). "Tania Reid about to make her finale appearance with tough Mea Motu". Womens Boxing. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Fight 10: Mea Motu vs Wendy Talbot (Pro Fight) Peach Boxing ABA Stadium 17Oct20". Gladrap Channel. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Sally Kaokao is held by the referee". Photo Sport. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Friday Night Fights 1". Podis. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Fight 17: Mea Motu vs Ayisha Abied". Gladrap Channel. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  17. ^ "David Light v Mose Auimatagi, Pampellone v Russell, Motu v Hansen, Mikhailovich v Wright". Gladrap Channel. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Mea Motu climbing boxing ranks to world title shot". Newsroom. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  19. ^ "Northland news in brief: Boxer to fight for national title; and pair arrested over burglary". New Zealand Herald. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Motu wins her first national title". New Zealand Herald. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  21. ^ "Mea Motu celebrates victory over Toni Moki with her trainer". Photosport. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  22. ^ "What's next for Mea Motu?". Womens Boxing. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  23. ^ a b "'How is she still standing?' Exciting prospect Mea Motu's tough challenge for second national title". Stuff NZ. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  24. ^ "Michaela "Hurricane" Jenkins: Gotta fight the best to be the best". Fight News. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  25. ^ "Joseph Parker v Alexander Flores". Stuff NZ. 15 December 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  26. ^ "Kaitaia's Mea Motu Captures Second NZ Title". Fight News NZ. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  27. ^ "Two-weight national champion Mea Motu books clash with undefeated Australian Beck Hawker for WBC title". Stuff NZ. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  28. ^ "Mea Motu: Where discipline meets determination". Fight News NZ. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  29. ^ "Mea Motu vs. Rangi Hetet on Dion McNabneys Young Guns 9". Women Boxing. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  30. ^ "Undefeated champion eyes third boxing belt". Radio New Zealand. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  31. ^ Watt, Benjamin (5 February 2022). "Mea Motu goes for New Zealand record". Women Boxing. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  32. ^ "'I know I'm ready': Kiwi prospect Mea Motu wants world title fights after making New Zealand boxing history". Stuff NZ. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  33. ^ "Motu Vs Nansen to kickstart new era In NZ boxing". Fight News NZ. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  34. ^ "'I'm excited to showcase my talent': Mea Motu out to prove she's ready for the world's best". Stuff NZ. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  35. ^ "Mea Motu comes through tough test against Baby Nansen to maintain unbeaten record". Stuff NZ. 2 May 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  36. ^ "Kaitāia's 'NightMea' Motu wins fourth national title in Auckland". New Zealand Herald. 2 May 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  37. ^ Watt, Benjamin (1 May 2022). "Mea Motu Calls out World Champion after win". Women Boxing. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  38. ^ "WBO world title all that matters as pay scale revealed for Lani Daniels v Geovana Peres fight". Stuff.co.nz. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  39. ^ "IBF May 2022 Rankings". IBF. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  40. ^ "Step up for Northland boxer Mea Motu with first international bout on Friday". NZ Herald. 17 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  41. ^ "Mea Motu hoping to make a knockout statement against first international opponent". Stuff NZ. 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  42. ^ Watt, Benjamin (21 August 2022). "Mea Motu Dominates Thanchanok Phanan In Bout in New Zealand". Women Boxing. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  43. ^ "Northland boxer Mea Motu's facing toughest opponent yet". NORTHERN ADVOCATE. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  44. ^ "Northland boxer Mea Motu beats Thai former world champ ahead of first overseas title fight". NORTHERN ADVOCATE. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  45. ^ "David Light one win away from cruiserweight world title shot". StuffNZ. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  46. ^ "Māori power puncher Mea Motu puts Pukepoto on the map". NZ HERALD. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  47. ^ "WBA Rankings" (PDF). WBA. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  48. ^ "WBC Rankings" (PDF). WBC. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  49. ^ "Mea Motu oozing confidence for fight of her life". Stuff NZ. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  50. ^ "Fight For Life: Mea Motu v Tania Walters tops bill in first ever female main event". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  51. ^ "Fight For Life 2023: Mea Motu claims IBO super bantamweight world title with win over Tania Walters". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  52. ^ "Motu and Daniels defend world titles on big night for NZ boxing". TVNZ One News. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  53. ^ "Boxing: Mea Motu fights through dislocated shoulder to defend world super bantamweight title". Newshub. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  54. ^ "Kiwi world champs prepare to fight in front of northern whānau". TVNZ One news. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  55. ^ "Big fight night featuring Mea Motu and Lani Daniels in Whangārei sold out". NZ Herald. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  56. ^ "Mea Motu's opponent urges Indian expats to get behind historic world title challenge". Stuff NZ. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  57. ^ "Wins for Mea Motu, Lani Daniels on historic night in Whangarei". Stuff NZ. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  58. ^ "Top Kiwi boxers sign with powerhouse Aussie promoter". Stuff NZ. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  59. ^ "World champion Scotney to face Motu in October". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  60. ^ "Injured Elie Scotney won't defend 122-pound belts vs. Mea Motu on Oct 26". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  61. ^ "Ellie Scotney-bound Mea Motu makes statement against Shannon O'Connell". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  62. ^ "'It's a golf ball' – Ebanie Bridges' ex-rival left with horrific injury and in bloody mess by undefeated foe". Talksport. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  63. ^ "Boxing NZ Junior Female Champions". Boxing NZ. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  64. ^ "Boxing NZ Elite Female Champions". Boxing NZ. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  65. ^ "International Boxing Title for Mea Motu of Pukepoto". Te Hiku. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  66. ^ "Boxing mum in the form of her life after eight-year comeback". One NEws. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  67. ^ "'Mum, you're good at it, keep going': Son's words inspire Mea Motu to chase world title shot". Stuff NZ. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  68. ^ 2024 Celebrity Treasure Island NZ Ep. 9
  69. ^ "2020 NEW ZEALAND BOXING AWARDS". New Zealand Fighter. Archived from the original on 7 January 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  70. ^ "Benji's New Zealand Boxing Awards 2021". Fight News New Zealand. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  71. ^ "2022 New Zealand Boxing Awards". Boxing Awards NZ. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  72. ^ "Boxers get nominated for local indigenous awards". Womens Boxing. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  73. ^ "FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2023 MĀORI SPORTS AWARDS". Maori Sports Awards. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  74. ^ "Almost 80 nominations for 61st Halberg Awards". One News. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  75. ^ "Northland's Mea Motu, Lani Daniels and Cameron Leslie nominated for Halberg Awards". NZ Herald. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  76. ^ "Far North news in brief: Halberg nominee; Shrew being tamed and kai fund opens". NZ Herald. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
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