Winning gold is a tournament goal, but there is more on the cards: for males, the Jameson Belt for the most scientific (technical) Elite Male boxer, and for women, the Bobby Johnson Cup, are up for grabs.
Hamilton boxer Greer Hall made her professional debut in December 2025. Photo / CSN.Watch
There have only been two Waikato men to have won the Jameson Belt previously: David Nyika in 2014 and Ivan Pavich in 2015.
Only two Waikato women have won the Bobby Johnson Cup too, including three-division world champion Lani Daniels in 2015, when she lived in Hamilton, and Cara Wharerau in 2017.
In the upcoming tournament, Saskia Elliott is listed to compete, but a lack of competition means she may win gold from being unopposed.
This is Connor Campbell’s eighth championship, winning gold in six of them. The only fight he didn’t win was his first one in 2019.
Campbell has had a busy international year, from competing in the Commonwealth Games to the 2026 World Boxing Cup and Australia’s King of the Ring.
Despite only winning gold at the King of the Ring, he is one of the only New Zealand boxers who have victories in all three competitions.
This is Greer Hall’s third time competing, having won gold in both of the championships she participated in.
Like Campbell, Hall has also had a busy international year, competing in the Commonwealth Games, the 2026 World Boxing Cup and Australia’s 2026 Queen of the Ring.
She also participated in New Zealand’s Queen of the Ring.
Campbell and Hall are both aiming for gold, but will also be in hot competition for the Jameson Belt and the Bobby Johnson Cup.
A few returning Waikato champions will also be competing, including two-time champion Caruso Nedia Ford and 2025 champions Bismullah Ali Madad and Tangaroa Holman-Lee.
The New Zealand National Championships take place from September 29 to October 3 in Whanganui.
Some boxers may be missing due to late entry or representing other regional organisations.
Representing Kirikiriroa Boxing Association
Cameron Kilian – Youth Male 75kg
Christopher Kilian – Junior Male 75kg
Saskia Elliot – Elite Female 57kg
Tangaroa Holman-Lee – Junior Male 70kg
Zen Parker – Junior Male 60kg
Asma Nabizadeh – Junior Female 66kg
Bismullah Ali Madad – Youth Male 50kg
Kody Williams – Junior Male 75kg
Lennon Bevins – Cadet Male 46kg
Lincoln Cornelius – Junior Male 57kg
Cruso Nepia-Ford – Youth Male 65kg
Mana Te Tuhi Puru Smith – Youth Male 70kg
Ti Rakau Tepania – Elite Male 70kg
Greer Hall – Elite Female 54kg
Tyrel Max – Cadet Male 60kg
Boston Kerepa – Junior Male 80+kg
Representing Waikato Boxing Association
Troy Colby – Junior Male 70kg
Macy Smith – Elite Female 60kg
Oliver Miers – Cadet Male 48kg
Ericka Stark – Elite Female 65kg
Syed Asher Ali – Elite Male 75kg
Tyson Peterson – Elite Male 80kg
Rocco Driver – Cadet Male 60kg
Representing Te Toki a Maui
Lyrical Algra – Elite Male 65kg
Boston Samuels – Junior Male 52kg
Allen Wheeler – Junior Male 52kg
Connor Campbell – Elite Male 65kg
Possible Unopposed Golds
Asma Nabizadeh – Kirikiriroa
Saskia Elliott – Kirikiriroa
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.