Boxing gloves Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Boxing New Zealand national coach Billy Meehan has high hopes for his athletes at the world championships despite the financial constraints they faced to get there.
New Zealand has a team of seven competing at the inaugural World Boxing Championships in Liverpool starting this week.
World Boxing took over the running of the sport this year after the International Olympic Committee stripped the IBA of its status because of issues with its governance and finances.
There are 540 boxers from 66 countries taking part, including 17 medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The New Zealand team members have had to fundraise $10,000 each to get to the world champs.
"It's a tough road, when you're trying to represent your country, trying to train like professional athletes but not getting paid and having to raise money and hold down a full-time job at the same time."
A pre-tournament camp in Glasgow means that they will be away from families and work for almost five weeks by the time they return home.
Meehan said they were appreciative of the support they get from Sport New Zealand, but "it's never enough".
Boxing NZ has had its annual funding from High Performance Sport NZ cut from $165,000 to $100,000.
New Zealand boxer Celine Lee-Lo Photo: supplied / Instagram
Despite that Meehan has high hopes for his boxers.
"We're New Zealanders, we always shoot for the top and always punch above our weight
"Our resources are next to none compared to other countries, but we believe in our athletes and if we can get a couple of top eight finishes then we'll be happy."
Boxing was one of 10 sports that was included in the reduced 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games programme.
"All this is about getting our boxers top international experience and making progress towards Commonwealth Games and Olympics," Meehan said.
New Zealand should have good representation in the boxing in Glasgow next year and some contenders should emerge from the national championships in Porirua later in September.
A trial will then be held later in the year before potential Commonwealth Games representatives will be required to attend a couple of international events.
More fundraising will probably be needed from those hoping to wear the silver fern.
New Zealand boxers at the World Boxing Championships, Liverpool, 4-14 September:
Emma Nesbitt, Auckland, 48kg
Ali Lai-Carlisle, Wellington, 57kg
Jordan Wilson, Auckland, 65kg
Morgan Henderson, Otago, 70kg
Celine Lee-Lo, Auckland, 80+kg
Wesley Cameron, Bay of Plenty, 70kg
Taj Kagho, Auckland, 80kg
