Famous New Zealander Boxers

Israel Adesanya is a highly accomplished professional mixed martial artist, kickboxer, and former boxer. Competing in the Middleweight division of the UFC, he is a two-time UFC Middleweight Champion. Additionally, he has challenged for the Glory Middleweight Championship title in kickboxing. Adesanya is currently ranked #2 in the UFC middleweight rankings and #13 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. His impressive career is marked by notable achievements and a strong presence in the world of combat sports.

David Tua, also known as the "Tuamanator," was a highly ranked heavyweight professional boxer from 1992 to 2013. He was renowned for his exceptional punching power, particularly his devastating left hook, which led to sixteen wins by knockout in the first round. Tua's aggressive bob and weave pressure fighting style drew comparisons to Mike Tyson. He fought top opponents and challenged for the unified world heavyweight title against Lennox Lewis in 2000. Tua's durable chin and impressive knockout-to-win ratio of 82.6% solidify his legacy as a boxing great.

Joseph Parker is a New Zealand professional boxer with an impressive career. He has achieved significant success in the heavyweight division, holding various titles such as the WBO interim heavyweight title and the WBO heavyweight title. Parker has also won regional championships and represented New Zealand in international competitions. He turned professional in 2012 and made history by becoming the first heavyweight boxer from New Zealand or the Pacific Islands to win a major world championship. Currently, he is ranked among the top heavyweight boxers globally by several reputable boxing organizations.

Geovana De Cassia Peres is a Brazilian-born New Zealand professional Muay Thai fighter and former professional boxer. She achieved great success during her career, becoming the first female light-heavyweight world champion by holding the WBO female title from 2019 until her retirement in January 2021. Known for her skill and determination in the ring, Peres made significant contributions to the world of combat sports and served as an inspiration to aspiring fighters around the globe.

Doug "Vicious" Viney, also known as Ma'afu Hawke, is a renowned Tongan-New Zealander heavyweight boxer and kickboxer. He achieved international success by winning the K-1 World GP 2007 in Las Vegas. Viney also represented Tonga in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens as a super heavyweight boxer. His professional career is marked by impressive victories and a strong presence in the combat sports world, solidifying his reputation as a skilled and accomplished athlete.

Jimmy Thunder was a successful professional boxer from Samoa, later based in New Zealand. He held the IBO heavyweight title from 1994 to 1995. Throughout his career, Thunder also secured various regional heavyweight titles, such as the OPBF title from 1989 to 1991 and the Australian title twice between 1992 and 1994. Known for his powerful punches and skilled fighting style, Jimmy Thunder made a lasting impact in the boxing world during his time as a competitive athlete.

David Nyika is a highly accomplished New Zealand professional boxer, known for his success in both amateur and professional competitions. He has secured gold medals at the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games and has participated in the 2017 and 2019 World Championships. Nyika garnered widespread media attention during the 2020 Summer Olympics when Moroccan boxer Youness Baalla infamously attempted to bite his ear during the Round of 16 match. Nyika's impressive boxing skills and resilience have solidified his reputation as a formidable athlete in the sport.

Junior Fa is a retired professional boxer from New Zealand. He had a successful career as an amateur boxer, representing Tonga at various international competitions and winning medals. Transitioning to the professional circuit, Fa maintained an impressive knockout-to-win percentage of 53%. Throughout his professional boxing career, he faced various opponents and showcased his skills in the ring. Fa's dedication to the sport and determination to succeed made him a respected figure in the boxing world before his retirement.