Reece Papuni

Reece Papuni (born 2 October 1987) is a New Zealand professional boxer. As an amateur, he reached the quarterfinals of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Papuni is a former New Zealand national Light Heavyweight champion when he defeated Sam Rapira for the title in October 2014. Papuni is trained by well known and highly accomplished boxing trainer, Phil Shatford.

Amateur career
During his amateur career, Papuni got to fight on a David Tua undercard as an amateur when Papuni took on Tyson Sykes on the Tua vs Barrett II fight card. Papuni was considered very hopeful to go to the 2012 olympics.

Early professional career
In 2013, Papuni took on Scott Taliauli at the Wilding Park. Papuni won the fight by third round stoppage. In April 2014, Papuni took on MMA fighter Eddie Lenart. Papuni stated he did not know his opponent. Papuni won the fight by sixth round stoppage.

Papuni vs Rapira
In October 2014, Papuni took on one of his biggest rivals of his careers, Sam Rapira for the New Zealand national (NZNBF version) Light Heavyweight title on a Joseph Parker undercard, promoted by Duco Events. Rapira was the defending champion. The two has fought multiple times during their amateurs career. Papuni won the fight by stoppage in the fourth round, one of his biggest wins of his career.

WBA Regional title fight, Christchurch return
Papuni was originally scheduled to fight on another Joseph Parker undercard with Duco events in March 2015, however, the fight did not go ahead. In June 2015, Papuni took on Trent Broadhurst for the vacant WBA Oceania Light Heavyweight title. Papuni took this big risk in hopes to reach the top 15 in the WBA. Unfortunately, Papuni lost the fight by fifth round stoppage, first loss of his professional career. In September 2019, Papuni took on Samoan boxer Tony Iapesa at Horncastle Arena in Christchurch. Papuni won the fight by fifth round stoppage. The event raised $183,000 for charity.

Super 8 Four Man Tournament
In early November 2015, Papuni Took part in the Four man Tournament. Papuni joined Robert Berridge, Sefo Falekaono and Brad Riddell in the tournament. Papuni Won the Tournament, winning against Brad Riddell and Robert Berridge.

Hometown return, Australasian title, retirement
In March 2016, Papuni took on Joshua Tai at the Addington Raceway. Papuni won the fight by Majority Decision. Papuni at the time contemplated moving to Australia to improve his career. In September 2016, Papuni took on Faris Chevalier for the ANBF Australasian Super Middleweight title. Papuni lost the fight by ninth round stoppage.

After three years from being away from the ring, Papuni took on Blake Caparello for the WBA Oceania Light Heavyweight title. Caparello won the fight by eighth round stoppage. In November 2019, Papuni returned to the ring when he took on Alex Tzinavos in Nelson. Papuni won the fight by Unanimous Decision, giving him his first win in over three years.

Amateur boxing titles

 * 2003 New Zealand Amateur Champion (Junior 81 kg)
 * 2009 New Zealand Amateur 81 kg Champion
 * 2010 Jameson Belt (Most scientific senior male) 76th Winner
 * 2010 New Zealand Amateur 81 kg Champion
 * 2011 New Zealand Amateur 81 kg Champion

Professional boxing titles

 * Tournament
 * Super Eight Boxing Tournament Winner (2015)
 * World Boxing Federation
 * WBF Oceania light heavyweight title (2013)
 * New Zealand National Boxing Federation
 * New Zealand National light heavyweight title(2014)

Professional boxing record

 * - style="text-align:center; background:#e3e3e3;"
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Res.
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Record
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Opponent
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Type
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Rd., Time
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Date
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Location
 * style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Notes
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 14–3
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Alex Tzinavos
 * UD
 * 6
 * 2019-11-9
 * align=left|🇳🇿Trafalgar Centre, Nelson, New Zealand
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * Lose
 * 13–3
 * align=left|🇦🇺 Blake Caparello
 * TKO
 * 8, (10)
 * 2019-08-9
 * align=left|🇦🇺The Melbourne Pavilion, Flemington, Victoria, Australia
 * align=left|For WBA Oceania light heavyweight title
 * - align=center
 * Lose
 * 13–2
 * align=left|🇦🇺 Faris Chevalier
 * TKO
 * 9, (10) 2:20
 * 2016-09-10
 * align=left|🇦🇺 Mansfield Tavern, Mansfield, Queensland, Australia
 * align=left|For vacant Australasian super middleweight title
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 13–1
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Joshua Tai
 * MD
 * 8
 * 2016-03-05
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Addington Raceway, Christchurch, New Zealand
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 12–1
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Robert Berridge
 * SD
 * 4, (3)
 * 2015-11-03
 * align=left|🇳🇿 SkyCity Convention Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
 * align=left|Super 8 Four Man Light Heavyweight Tournament Final Original result ended in a draw so it went to an extra round.
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 11–1
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Brad Riddell
 * UD
 * 4, (3)
 * 2015-11-03
 * align=left|🇳🇿 SkyCity Convention Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
 * align=left|Super 8 Four Man Light Heavyweight Tournament Semi-Final Original result ended in a draw so it went to an extra round.
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 10–1
 * align=left|🇼🇸 Tony Iapesa
 * TKO
 * 5, (8)
 * 2015-09-12
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, New Zealand
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * Loss
 * 9–1
 * align=left|🇦🇺 Trent Broadhurst
 * TKO
 * 5, (10) 2:19
 * 2015-06-19
 * align=left|🇦🇺 Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane, Australia
 * align=left|For vacant WBA Oceania light heavyweight title
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 9–0
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Mike Junior Kapi
 * KO
 * 2, (8) 0:37
 * 2014-11-22
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, New Zealand
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 8–0
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Sam Rapira
 * TKO
 * 4, (10)
 * 2014-10-16
 * align=left|🇳🇿 The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
 * align=left|Won NZNBF light heavyweight title
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 7–0
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Eddie Lenart
 * TKO
 * 6, (6)
 * 2014-04-04
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Cathedral Square, Christchurch, New Zealand
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 6–0
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Avefu'a Iakopo Jnr
 * TKO
 * 1, 6 2:53
 * 2014-02-28
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Hornby Working Men's Club, Christchurch, New Zealand
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 5–0
 * align=left|🇹🇴🇳🇿 Scott Taliauli
 * TKO
 * 3, 6
 * 2013-11-01
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Wilding Park, Christchurch, New Zealand
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 4–0
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Andrew Robinson
 * UD
 * 10
 * 2013-07-20
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Roy Stokes Hall, Christchurch, New Zealand
 * align=left|Won vacant World Boxing Federation Oceania light heavyweight title
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 3–0
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Ritchie Harris
 * TKO
 * 1, (6) 2:15
 * 2013-02-28
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Hornby Working Men's Club, Christchurch, New Zealand
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 2–0
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Jacques Marsters
 * UD
 * 6
 * 2012-09-06
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Hornby Working Men's Club, Christchurch, New Zealand
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * Win
 * 1–0
 * align=left|🇳🇿 John Roil
 * UD
 * 6
 * 2012-04-12
 * align=left|🇳🇿 Hornby Working Men's Club, Christchurch, New Zealand
 * align=left|

Personal life
Papuni is Māori with ancestry of Ngā Rauru, Ngāi Tahu, and Ngāti Porou.

Awards and recognitions

 * 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Returning Boxer of the year (Nominated)