From New Zealand Boxrec Editor – Benjamin Watt:
Still New Zealand Heavyweight Champion
New Zealand Heavyweight (NZPBA Version) Champion Alrie Melesiea, defended her title against Sarah Long at ABA Stadium in Auckland.
Alrie Meleisea (3 – 0 – 0) is ranked 6th in the WBA, UBF Asia Pacific champion, New Zealand champion and has peaked at 4th on boxrec back in April this year. After taking eight months off from the ring, Meleisea returns to defend her New Zealand title.
Sarah Long (2 – 2 – 0) has peaked at 9th on boxrec. She was appointed as mandatory challenger back in August. Long started off her pro boxing career slow, but got better each fight. In her last fight, she defeated the current two time unified New Zealand light heavyweight champion, Geovana Peres.
The fight itself was an extremely close fight. Meleisea won the first round but struggled in the second but manage to knock down Long. Long fought well throughout the fight and was breaking meleisea down. The fight got so close, by the seventh round the boxers were tied on the cards, making the eighth and final round the deciding round. After winning the last round, Meleisea successfully defended her title. The final score cards was one jude 77 – 74 and two judges 76 – 75.
What will happen next for Alrie Meleisea? Will she take on Geovana Peres for the biggest female fight in New Zealand since Gentiane Lupi vs Daniella Smith. Will she take on next up and comer Lani Daniels or will Meleisea start fighting internationally. As for Sarah Long, a potential rematch should happen with either Nailini Helu or Geovana Peres, especially since Long has shown great improvement since her debut against Nailini Helu.
As for the undercard, Kayne Conlan made his pro debut in a welterweight contest against a tough Hilton Underwood. It was a tough fight but Kayne won every round convincingly.
Press Release - New Zealand
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