Golden Gloves coming to Blenheim

The gloves will definitely be on when some of the Mainland’s top amateur boxers gather in Blenheim at the weekend.

For what is thought to be the first time, the South Island Golden Gloves tournament will be staged in Marlborough, with action scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1, at Simcox Stadium on Battys Rd.

The event will be co-hosted by Blenheim club Box On Boxing and the Reefton Boxing Gym.

Lee Tepuia, owner of the Box On Boxing Gym, and the Reefton club’s Dean Giddens, got together last year and decided to bring the event, which is traditionally staged in Christchurch to the top of the south.

They are expected around 115 fighters to front up from as far afield as Invercargill.

Ages range from mini cadets (10-years-old) to elite open grade fighters of any age, with categories for both novice (six or less fights) and open (six+) boxers.

It is expected that around a dozen fighters from local gyms will take part, including four from Box On Boxing, all vying for prestigious Golden Gloves titles.

Lee said the main prompt for the initiative was to “bring boxing back to Blenheim” and to “provide a different atmosphere” for the event after it being based in Christchurch for so long.

“It is also a good chance to show off what Marlborough has to offer as well as giving the province’s talented fighters the opportunity to do their stuff on home soil.

“We want people to come along and see what the sport is all about. It is also a chance to see the best of the best in action. There will be a few New Zealand champions here … and we expect some really close bouts and top-class action.”

The tournament is also an opportunity to kick start a new boxing association, which began this year, called Te Tai Poutini and involving the Box On Boxing and Reefton clubs, plus Atown Boxing, Boxfit Brothers (Westport), Mawhera Boxing, Ahikaa Boxing, Tui Boxing and Dixon’s Boxing in Nelson.

Organisers are setting up a ring at the back of the Indoor Centre, and are providing seating for around 200 spectators.

There are three sessions, starting noon and 6pm Saturday, then the finals from noon on Sunday.

Adult tickets will cost $20 per session or $50 for a weekend pass, with under-16 spectators charged $10 and $25. A family (two adults and two uinder-16) pass will cost $50 per session and $100 for a weekend pass. Food, beverages and clothing merchandise will be available.

Lee said the wider community had got behind the event, with main supporters being the Marlborough District Council, Floorpride, Blenheim Indoor Centre, Profile Marlborough Roofing, Buller Construction, Tuis Painting, Minaka Marlborough, Lil’ Orbits Marlborough, Waterfront Hotel, Trilogy Combat Essentials and Roast on the Run Events.

“It just shows how two small boxing gyms can bring an event like this here to Blenheim with the support of those around them. We have also been helped by Rangiora and Canterbury boxing, they are all behind it.”