Dawn Chalmers wins 8th NZ title

Story by: Nelson Mail - Photo by: Evan Barnes

Dawn Chalmers won her eighth national boxing title on Saturday night at the Lower Hutt Town Hall, while Gage Brown claimed his second and Jordan Bowen his first to round off a successful meeting for Nelson fighters.

Chalmers was up against Cheyenne Whaanga, a strong opponent from Auckland, who had stopped her opponent in the second round in Thursday's semifinals. Chalmers won each round on points and dropped her opponent to the canvas with a cracker right hand in the second round.

Coach Alan Dickey was happy with her performance and said it had been tough for her, not having a serious opponent for nearly 14 months since last year's world championships.

She had spent only 30 seconds in the ring since the worlds when she contested the Canterbury championships against a less experienced girl.

Dickey compared it with the All Blacks training and having no competition then expecting to go out and win a test.

"I was pleased with the win as Dawn has been very busy setting up her new physiotherapy business with her strengthening coach and business partner Claire Dallison and boxing had to take a back seat," he said.

"For her to go straight to the nationals and put her reputation on the line, and also to be the only female boxer to win eight boxing titles, says a lot for her drive and talent."

Dickey said the hard work would start now as the trials for next year's world championships in China were on February 3. This was the first step towards Olympic Games qualification as she had to win the trials then make the top 10 at the world championships.

There are only three of the 10 weight divisions selected for female boxing's debut at the London Olympic, none of which Chalmers has ever fought in.

The lightweight division (48-50kg) is out, which leaves either the light-welterweight (57-60kg) or the middleweight (69-75kg) divisions.

Brown, fighting in youth 60kg, won his fight against Reuben Webster after the referee stopped the fight, while Bowen, taking the ring for Fighting Fit the last time before heading to university, took a points decision over Anthony Helu in the youth 81kg grade.

Brown took the trophy for the most scientific intermediate boxer, while his coach at Fighting Fit Steve Mitchell won the Dick Dun Trophy for trainer of the most scientific fighter.

Both fighters had one bout on the way to their finals.