Mukuka is a three-time New Zealand national amateur champion and has one professional boxing fight under his belt.
He was due to fight in another professional boxing fight in Taupō in October, but pulled out of the event to focus on the national championships.
Another Waikato fighter who will eye Commonwealth Games selection is Greer Hall, who won bronze at the 2024 World Under-19 Championships.
Hall last competed at the national amateur champs in 2023 in the youth division when she won gold. This time, she will compete as an elite boxer.
Tinta Smith is also one to watch at the amateur champs after taking home wins at the competition in 2021 and 2023.
As Smith is an amateur champion and a New Zealand Professional boxing champion, she makes a strong contender for the Commonwealth Games. However, it is a hot seat with many contenders in the weight division.
Greer Hall, of Hamilton’s Hit Fitness HQ, was among the gold medal winners at the recent Queensland International Golden Gloves Tournament.
Stephanie Trotter is also competing in hope to be selected for the Commonwealth Games, however, her selection depends on whether there will be a women’s 80kg division at the Commonwealth Games, which historically has not been.
The Waikato Amateur Boxing Association also have some strong contenders for the amateur champs, especially with Troy Colby, Maatia Kiri and Lucas Crawshaw winning gold in their division at the recent Golden Gloves in Australia.
Waikato boxers in national amateur champs
● Waikato Amateur Boxing Association
Tyson Peterson (Elite) 75kg
Harley Van Walraven (Elite) 70kg
Syed Aahtar Rizui (Elite) 70kg
Lukah Sakamoto-Aish (Elite) 65kg
Troy Colby (Junior) 63kg
Matai Kiri (Cadet) 70kg
Macy Smith (Elite) 60kg
Ericka Stark (Elite) 65kg
● Kirikiriroa Boxing Association
Greer Hall (Elite) 54kg
Amanda Laird (Elite) 57kg
Stephanie Trotter (Elite) 80kg
Tinta Smith (Elite) 75kg
Ella Bartram (Elite) 70kg
Saskia Elliott (Elite) 60kg
Harrison Hodges (Elite) 80kg
Ti Rakau Tepania (Elite) 75kg
Gower Robertson (Elite) 65kg
Alex Mukuka (Elite) 55kg
Mania Smith (Youth) 65kg
Lleyton Jones (Junior) 75kg
Maia Laird (Junior) 48kg
Cruso Nepia-Ford (Junior) 63kg
Asma Nabizadh (Cadet) 60kg
Tangaroa Holman-Lee (Cadet) 66kg
Boston Kerapa (Junior) 80kg+
Bismillah Ali Madad (Youth) 50kg
Benjamin Watt is a retired boxing judge and New Zealand boxing writer with a decade of experience. Watt has also been BoxRec’s New Zealand record-keeper since 2014.