Mea Motu Explained

Mea Motu
Nickname:The Nightmea
Weight:Super Lightweight
Lightweight
Super Featherweight
Featherweight
Super Bantamweight
Nationality:New Zealand
Birth Name:Marea Kirimiria Motu
Birth Place:Pukepoto, New Zealand
Boxrec:958407
Total:19
Wins:19
Ko:7
Losses:0
Draws:0
Website:https://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.[1] She is a four division New Zealand champion, holding more New Zealand titles than any other female boxer.[2] She broke the 14 year record set by Daniella Smith for holding the most titles in February 2022.[3]

Amateur boxing

Motu discovered boxing at the age of 13.[4] Motu is a five time New Zealand amateur champion, winning two junior titles, and three elite senior titles.[5] 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.[6] Motu was also trained by Chris Martin.[7] Motu won an World boxing event that was open invertational called the Ringside Bowl World Championship.[8] Motu sister Sally fought at the Golden Gloves event in Queensland in 2016, unfortuanately Mea was unable to compete due to injury.[9] Motu meet Isaac Peach during her amateur boxing years. Since 2020, Peach has been Motu manager and trainer out of Peach Boxing.[10]

Professional boxing

Professional debut, four wins in three months 2020

Motu made her professional boxing debut against City Kickboxing Kickboxer Wendy Talbot in October 2020.[11] Motu won the fight by unanimous decision.[12] Motu made her television fight debut when she took on Sally Kaokao at Sky City Theatre in November 2020.[13] Motu won the fight in quick fashion, winning by stoppage in the second round for her first TKO win.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16]

Two time New Zealand Champion 2021

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.[17] In March 2021, Motu took on Tania Reid for the New Zealand National Lightweight title.[18] Reid was well known for being the first ever New Zealand female to win the Australasian title. Motu won the fight by third round stoppage in dominating fashion winning her first professional boxing title.[19] In April 2021, Motu return to television when she fought Toni Moki. Motu won the fight by first round stoppage.[20] After the fight, Motu reach the ranking of 1st on Boxrec and 3rd P4P on Boxrec.[21] 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.[22] Jenkins is a former New Zealand National (Pro Box NZ version) Welterweight champion which she won on a Joseph Parker undercard in December 2018.[23] [24] 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.[25] After the fight, Motu was originally scheduled to fight for a WBA regional title against Australian Beck Hawker.[26] Motu was also scheduled to fight Gentiane Lupi for the WBU World title.[27] 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.[28] Motu won the fight by Split Decision.

Record Breaking New Zealand Champion, World Ranked 2022

In February 2022, Motu took on Ayisha Abied for the New Zealand National Featherweight title.[29] 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.[30] Motu won the fight by first round Knockout winning her third professional boxing title.[31] 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.[32] Motu and Nansen fought on April 30 for the New Zealand National Super Featherweight title[33] The fight itself was messy and close, however, Motu won the fight capturing her fourth New Zealand title.[34] [35] 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.[36] 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.[37] In June 2022, Motu received her first major international ranking, with her being ranked 10th in the IBF Junior Lightweight division.[38] On 19 August, Motu took on Thailand National Bantamweight champion Thanchanok Phanan for the vacant PBCNZ International Featherweight title.[39] Motu stated she aims to make an impression by knocking out her opponent.[40] Motu won the fight by 4th round stoppage.[41] On the 21st October, Motu took on former WBC World Bantamweight champion UsanakornThawilsuhannawang. This is the toughest and highest credential boxer Motu has fought so far in her career.[42] Motu won the fight by Unanimous Decision winning every round of the fight.[43] On 26th of 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.[44] 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.[45] At the end of December 2022, Motu finished her boxing 2022 year with receiving a ranking of 7th[46] in the WBA and 16th in the WBC in the Super Bantamweight division.[47]

Third Maori World Champion 2023

In March 2023, it was announced that Mea Motu will fight for the vacant IBO World super bantamweight title against canadian boxer Tania Walters.[48] This will be the first time that boxing promoter Dean Lonergan will have a female main event on his boxing shows.[49] On the 27th of April 2023, Mea Motu won the fight by unanimous decision, becoming the third maori to win a World Boxing title.[50] 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.[51] Motu won the fight by unanimous decision, overcoming a serious injury with a dislocated shoulder in the first round.[52] For her last fight of 2023, she will fight for the first time in her boxing career in her hometown of Northland.[53] On the 7th of November, it was announced that the event was sold out.[54] Motu will take on Indian boxer Chandni Mehra.[55] Motu won the fight by Unanimous decision.[56] 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.[57]

Boxing titles

Amateur titles

Professional titles

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
19Win19–0Noppaket SrisawasTKO2 (10) 26 April 2024
18Win18–0Chandni MehraUD102 Dec 2023
17Win17–0Ellen SimwakaUD1026 Aug 2023
16Win16–0Tania WaltersUD1027 Apr 2023
15Win15–0Nastaran FathiSD826 Nov 2022
14Win14–0Usanakorn ThawilsuhannawangUD821 Oct 2022
13Win13–0Thanchanok PhananTKO4 (8) 19 Aug 2022
12Win12–0Baby NansenUD830 Apr 2022
11Win11–0Ayisha AbiedKO1 (8) 12 Feb 2022
10Win10–0Rangi HetetSD57 Aug 2021
9Win9–0Michaela JenkinsUD83 Jul 2021
8Win8–0Michaela JenkinsUD48 May 2021
7Win7–0Toni MokiTKO1 (4), 9 Apr 2021
6Win6–0Tania ReidTKO3 (8)26 Mar 2021
5Win5–0Ayisha AbiedUD613 Feb 2021
4Win4–0Katala HansenTKO1 (4) 19 Dec 2020
3Win3–0Ayisha AbiedUD45 Dec 2020
2Win2–0Sally KaokaoTKO2 (4) 13 Nov 2020
1Win1–0Wendy TalbotUD417 Oct 2020

Personal life

Motu was born and raised in the small village of Pukepoto which is outside of Kaitaia.[60] Motu a New Zealand Maori with decedents of Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi. Motu is a mother of four children,[61] with her eldest David a championship Bowler.[62] Motu was raised in the small town of Pukepoto. She moved to South Auckland when she was 10 years old. Motu got pregnent 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. 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.

Awards

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 28 April 2023 . Boxer Mea Motu claims world title. 13 May 2023. Radio New Zealand. en.
  2. Web site: Wilson. Sam . 15 May 2022 . 'My dream': Mea Motu's burning ambition to grace the big stage. 8 July 2022. Stuff NZ. en.
  3. Web site: Watt. Benjamin . 13 February 2022 . Kaitaia's Mea Motu wins third boxing title and new NZ record. 8 July 2022. Northern Advocate. en.
  4. Web site: Wilson. Clay . 6 October 2022 . Top boxer Mea Motu fights her way back from 'darkness' to surge into spotlight. 28 November 2022. RNZ. en.
  5. Web site: Boxing NZ Champions. 8 July 2022. Boxing NZ. en.
  6. Web site: West Auckland sisters boxing their way to success. 8 July 2022. AUT Te Waha Nui. en.
  7. Web site: Boxing Alley fighters pursue spot in NZ amateur boxing team. Te Ao Maori. 2015-09-17. 2023-08-21.
  8. Web site: Motu sisters box their way to success. 8 July 2022. Stuff NZ. 21 April 2016 . en.
  9. Web site: Motu unopposed at National Amateur Boxing competition. 8 July 2022. Te Ao Maori. 28 July 2016 . en.
  10. Web site: Maria Motu training at Peach Boxing. 8 July 2022. Gladrap Channel. en.
  11. Web site: Watt. Benjamin . 4 March 2021 . Tania Reid about to make her finale appearance with tough Mea Motu. 8 July 2022. Womens Boxing. en.
  12. Web site: 18 Oct 2020 . Fight 10: Mea Motu vs Wendy Talbot (Pro Fight) Peach Boxing ABA Stadium 17Oct20. 8 July 2022. Gladrap Channel. en.
  13. Web site: 13 Nov 2020 . Sally Kaokao is held by the referee. 8 July 2022. Photo Sport. en.
  14. Web site: 13 Nov 2020 . Friday Night Fights 1. 8 July 2022. Podis. en.
  15. Web site: 5 Dec 2020 . Fight 17: Mea Motu vs Ayisha Abied. 8 July 2022. Gladrap Channel. en.
  16. Web site: 30 Dec 2020 . David Light v Mose Auimatagi, Pampellone v Russell, Motu v Hansen, Mikhailovich v Wright. 8 July 2022. Gladrap Channel. en.
  17. Web site: 25 Feb 2021 . Mea Motu climbing boxing ranks to world title shot. 8 July 2022. Newsroom. en.
  18. Web site: 12 Mar 2021 . Northland news in brief: Boxer to fight for national title; and pair arrested over burglary. 8 July 2022. New Zealand Herald. en.
  19. Web site: 29 Mar 2021 . Motu wins her first national title. 8 July 2022. New Zealand Herald. en.
  20. Web site: 9 April 2021 . Mea Motu celebrates victory over Toni Moki with her trainer. 8 July 2022. Photosport. en.
  21. Web site: 13 April 2021 . What's next for Mea Motu?. 8 July 2022. Womens Boxing. en.
  22. Web site: 2 July 2021 . 'How is she still standing?' Exciting prospect Mea Motu's tough challenge for second national title. 8 July 2022. Stuff NZ. en.
  23. Web site: 13 August 2021 . Michaela "Hurricane" Jenkins: Gotta fight the best to be the best. 8 July 2022. Fight News. en.
  24. Web site: 15 December 2018 . Joseph Parker v Alexander Flores. 8 July 2022. Stuff NZ. en.
  25. Web site: 6 July 2021 . Kaitaia's Mea Motu Captures Second NZ Title. 8 July 2022. Fight News NZ. en.
  26. Web site: 6 July 2021 . Two-weight national champion Mea Motu books clash with undefeated Australian Beck Hawker for WBC title. 8 July 2022. Stuff NZ. en.
  27. Web site: 31 May 2021 . Mea Motu: Where discipline meets determination. 8 July 2022. Fight News NZ. en.
  28. Web site: 23 July 2021 . Mea Motu vs. Rangi Hetet on Dion McNabneys Young Guns 9. 8 July 2022. Women Boxing. en.
  29. Web site: 12 February 2022 . Undefeated champion eyes third boxing belt. 8 July 2022. Radio New Zealand. en.
  30. Web site: Watt. Benjamin . 5 February 2022 . Mea Motu goes for New Zealand record. 8 July 2022. Women Boxing. en.
  31. Web site: 16 February 2022 . 'I know I'm ready': Kiwi prospect Mea Motu wants world title fights after making New Zealand boxing history. 8 July 2022. Stuff NZ. en.
  32. Web site: 4 February 2022 . Motu Vs Nansen to kickstart new era In NZ boxing. 8 July 2022. Fight News NZ. en.
  33. Web site: 27 April 2022 . 'I'm excited to showcase my talent': Mea Motu out to prove she's ready for the world's best. 8 July 2022. Stuff NZ. en.
  34. Web site: 2 May 2022 . Mea Motu comes through tough test against Baby Nansen to maintain unbeaten record. 8 July 2022. Stuff NZ. en.
  35. Web site: 2 May 2022 . Kaitāia's 'NightMea' Motu wins fourth national title in Auckland. 8 July 2022. New Zealand Herald. en.
  36. Web site: 1 May 2022. Watt. Benjamin. Mea Motu Calls out World Champion after win. 8 July 2022. Women Boxing. en.
  37. Web site: WBO world title all that matters as pay scale revealed for Lani Daniels v Geovana Peres fight. Stuff.co.nz. 29 March 2019. 2019-03-30.
  38. Web site: IBF May 2022 Rankings. 8 July 2022. IBF. en.
  39. Web site: 17 August 2022. Step up for Northland boxer Mea Motu with first international bout on Friday. 19 August 2022. NZ Herald. en.
  40. Web site: 19 August 2022. Mea Motu hoping to make a knockout statement against first international opponent. 19 August 2022. Stuff NZ. en.
  41. Web site: Watt. Benjamin . 21 August 2022 . Mea Motu Dominates Thanchanok Phanan In Bout in New Zealand. 21 August 2022. Women Boxing. en.
  42. Web site: 20 October 2022 . Northland boxer Mea Motu's facing toughest opponent yet. 28 November 2022. NORTHERN ADVOCATE. en.
  43. Web site: 24 October 2022 . Northland boxer Mea Motu beats Thai former world champ ahead of first overseas title fight. 28 November 2022. NORTHERN ADVOCATE. en.
  44. Web site: 24 November 2022 . David Light one win away from cruiserweight world title shot. 28 November 2022. StuffNZ. en.
  45. Web site: 28 November 2022 . Māori power puncher Mea Motu puts Pukepoto on the map. 28 November 2022. NZ HERALD. en.
  46. Web site: WBA Rankings. 31 December 2022. WBA. en.
  47. Web site: WBC Rankings. 30 December 2022. WBC. en.
  48. Web site: Mea Motu oozing confidence for fight of her life. 13 May 2023. Stuff NZ. 26 April 2023 . en.
  49. Web site: Fight For Life: Mea Motu v Tania Walters tops bill in first ever female main event. 13 May 2023. New Zealand Herald. en.
  50. Web site: Fight For Life 2023: Mea Motu claims IBO super bantamweight world title with win over Tania Walters. 13 May 2023. New Zealand Herald. en.
  51. Web site: Motu and Daniels defend world titles on big night for NZ boxing. 20 November 2023. TVNZ One News. en.
  52. Web site: Boxing: Mea Motu fights through dislocated shoulder to defend world super bantamweight title. 20 November 2023. Newshub. en.
  53. Web site: Kiwi world champs prepare to fight in front of northern whānau . TVNZ One news. 2023-08-28. 2023-11-20.
  54. Web site: Big fight night featuring Mea Motu and Lani Daniels in Whangārei sold out. NZ Herald. 2023-11-07. 2023-11-20.
  55. Web site: Mea Motu's opponent urges Indian expats to get behind historic world title challenge. Stuff NZ. 2023-10-17. 2023-11-20.
  56. Web site: Wins for Mea Motu, Lani Daniels on historic night in Whangarei. Stuff NZ. 2023-12-02 . 2023-12-04.
  57. Web site: Top Kiwi boxers sign with powerhouse Aussie promoter. Stuff NZ. 2024-02-23 . 2024-02-23.
  58. Web site: Boxing NZ Junior Female Champions. 8 July 2022. Boxing NZ. en.
  59. Web site: Boxing NZ Elite Female Champions. 8 July 2022. Boxing NZ. en.
  60. Web site: International Boxing Title for Mea Motu of Pukepoto. 6 December 2022. Te Hiku. en.
  61. Web site: Boxing mum in the form of her life after eight-year comeback. 8 July 2022. One NEws. en.
  62. Web site: 'Mum, you're good at it, keep going': Son's words inspire Mea Motu to chase world title shot. 8 July 2022. Stuff NZ. 24 February 2021 . en.
  63. Web site: 2020 NEW ZEALAND BOXING AWARDS . 8 July 2022 . New Zealand Fighter . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20210107063908/https://www.newzealandfighter.co.nz/news/benjis-2020-new-zealand-boxing-awards . 7 January 2021 . dead.
  64. Web site: Benji's New Zealand Boxing Awards 2021. 8 July 2022. Fight News New Zealand. en.
  65. Web site: 2022 New Zealand Boxing Awards . 10 December 2022 . Boxing Awards NZ . 10 December 2022.
  66. Web site: Boxers get nominated for local indigenous awards . Womens Boxing . 5 March 2023.
  67. Web site: FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2023 MĀORI SPORTS AWARDS . Maori Sports Awards . 20 November 2023.
  68. Web site: Almost 80 nominations for 61st Halberg Awards . One News . 14 December 2023 . 15 December 2023.
  69. Web site: Northland’s Mea Motu, Lani Daniels and Cameron Leslie nominated for Halberg Awards . NZ Herald . 15 December 2023 . 15 December 2023.
  70. Web site: Far North news in brief: Halberg nominee; Shrew being tamed and kai fund opens . NZ Herald . 18 January 2024 . 20 January 2024.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Mea Motu".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.