Wikipedia

Alrie Meleisea

Alrie Meleisea (born 22 November 1992) is a New Zealand professional boxer and MMA fighter. Meleisea is a world title contender where she fought for the IBF World Heavyweight title against Lani Daniels in 2023. Meleisea lost the fight by Unanimous decision.[1] Despite the loss, she became the first female pasifika boxer to fight for a world boxing title.[2] Meleisea is a two time New Zealand Heavyweight Champion and a former UBF Asia Pacific heavyweight champion.

Alrie Meleisea
BornAlrie Meleisea Felix
(1992-11-22) 22 November 1992 (age 31)
Auckland, New Zealand
ResidenceAuckland, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealander
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight98.2 kg (216 lb; 15 st 6 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
StyleBoxing
MMA
Years active2016–present
Professional boxing record
Total9
Wins6
By knockout0
Losses2
By knockout0
Draws1
Mixed martial arts record
Total2
Wins2
By knockout1
By decision1
Losses0
By knockout0
By decision0
Draws0
Amateur record
Total4
Wins4
Losses0
Draws0
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Last updated on: 12 December 2022

Early life

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Meleisea was born in Auckland, New Zealand on 22 November 1992. She trained under Vasco Kovačević at Red Line Combat Academy, who is the same person that trains Robert Berridge. Before turning pro, Meleisea had four corporate boxing bouts, winning all the bouts.[3]

Professional boxing career

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Beginning of Nailini Helu Rivalry, Debut 2016

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On 28 October 2016, Meleisea took on Helu on the Robert Berridge vs Adrian Taihia undercard. Originally the bout was scheduled for Helu to take on Cheyenne Whaanga for the vacant NZPBA female light heavyweight title,[4] however due to injury Whaanga pulled out a week before the fight.[5] Meleisea took the fight on against Helu in 48 hour notice. Helu took the fight easy due to the last minute opponent, however due to this Meleisea won the bout by split decision. This was considered the biggest surprise of the year.[6] On 5 November 2016, Meleisea took on Lupeamanu in Hamilton, New Zealand. Meleisea took the fight on a weeks notice, almost immediately after defeating Helu in her pro debut. Meleisea won the bout by unanimous decision, surprising the New Zealand heavyweight division two weeks in a row.[7] Four months after the bout, Lupeamanu announced that she was forced to retire due to a tumour, making her fight against Meleisea her last professional boxing fight.[8]

New Zealand champion, Sarah Long rivalry 2017 - 2019

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On 10 March 2017, Meleisea took on Hely for the vacant NZPBA and vacant UBF Asia pacific heavyweight titles.[9] This bout was difficult to make happen, due to Helu had a rematch clause to fight Ange Davis for the vacant NZPBA title.[10] Due to Davis getting injured, Meleisea was next in line for the title shot.[11] Meleisea won the bout by Split decision however the reaction of the audience and social media was split 50/50, some believing it was a controversial decision.[12] On 18 August 2017, it was announced that Meleisea mandatory challenger was Kickboxer Sarah Long. Long at the time had nine fights in Kickboxing and four fights in professional boxing. The fight was originally going to happen in October, but it was postponed due to Promoter and Long's Trainer Terry Tuteru had a fight clash with one of his other boxers.[13] On 6 October 2017, it was announced that the fight would take place at ABA Stadium on 11 November.[14] The fight itself was a really close with Long being knocked down in the second round. Meleisea retained her New Zealand National (NZPBA version) title by unanimous decision.[15]

On 18 May 2018, it was announced that Meleisea will have a rematch against Sarah Long, defending her New Zealand National (NZPBA version) title. This time Sarah Long's manager, Terry Tuteru, promoted the event, under their Ultimate rage event series "Ultimate Rage 5". The bout took place on 23 June 2018 in Onehunga, New Zealand. Meleisea has had a big training camp for this bout, having sparing sessions with Robert Berridge and Gunnar Jackson.[16] On 20 June, it was announced that the bout between Meleisea and Long was postponed due to a death of Meleisea's mother.[17] On 19 September 2019, it was announced that the rematch between Long and Meliesea would happen on 28 September at ABA Stadium. The fight was very close, but the decision ended in controversy. The ending in a draw was adequate, but the scoring from the judges shocked people. Judge 1 Adrian Bently who was acting as Supervisor of the night and the more experienced judge on the panel, had the card 40–36 to Meleisea. Judge 2 Kendall Cooper had the card 38-38. And finally, Judge 3 Smita Tailor who is the least experienced judge out of the panel had the scores 40–36 to Long.[18]

Return to boxing, Sequita Hemingway rivalry 2021 - 2022

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In July 2021, Meleisea made her boxing return after being away from the ring for 19 months. Meleisea took on professional rugby player Sequita Hemingway. Due to Hemingway height and reach advantage, Meleisea struggled in the fight and received her first loss of her career.[19][20] In October 2022, it was announced that a rematch would happen between Meleisea and Hemingway in December for the vacant Pro Box NZ New Zealand National heavyweight title. At this time Hemingway is ranked 3rd in the WBA.[21] The winner of the Meleisea vs Hemingway fight would potentially lead to either a world title fight or at least a world title eliminator.[22] Meleisea won the fight by unanimous decision, making her a two time New Zealand Heavyweight champion.[23] After her fight, Meleisea asked if she would be interested in a world title fight against Lani Daniels. She replied “Anytime, anywhere, any place,” officially calling out Daniels.[24]

World Title fight, Lani Daniels rivalry 2023

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Main article: Lani Daniels vs Alrie Meleisea

In January 2023, Meleisea receive a ranking of 5th on the ESPN Women's Boxing rankings.[25] In January 2023, it was announced that Meleisea was in negotiations with Lani Daniels team for a potential world title fight in May.[26] On 14 January, it was confirmed the fight between Daniels and Meleisea will happen on May 27 at eventfinda stadium for the first ever IBF Female heavyweight title.[27] In February 2023, Meleisea received her highest world ranking of 2nd in the IBF.[28] She also received the ranking of 2nd in the WBO in March 2023.[29] Meleisea lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Personal life

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Meleisea has tattoos on her legs called a Malu as part of her Samoan heritage. The tattoo took 10 hours in over 5 days at a young age.[30]

Professional boxing titles

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Combat record

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Boxing record

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9 fights 6 wins 2 losses
By knockout 0 0
By decision 6 2
Draws 1

[37]

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
9 Loss 6–2–1   Lani Daniels UD 10 27 May 2023   Eventfinda, Auckland, New Zealand Lost vacant IBF World Heavyweight title
8 Win 6–1–1   Sequita Hemingway UD 8 9 December 2022   Eventfinda, Auckland, New Zealand Won vacant Pro Box NZ Heavyweight title
7 Lose 5–1–1   Sequita Hemingway MD 4 10 July 2021   The Plaza, Putaruru, New Zealand
6 Win 5–0–1   Ashley Campbell UD 6 29 November 2019   North Shore Events Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
5 Draw 4–0–1   Sarah Long SD 4 28 September 2019   ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
4 Win 4–0   Sarah Long UD 8 11 November 2017   ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Defended NZPBA female heavyweight titles
3 Win 3–0   Nailini Helu SD 6 10 March 2017   ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand won vacant NZPBA and UBF Asia Pacific female heavyweight titles
2 Win 2–0   Kirsty Lupeamanu UD 4 5 November 2016   Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club, Hamilton, New Zealand
1 Win 1–0   Nailini Helu SD 3 28 October 2016   ASB Stadium, Kohimarama, New Zealand

MMA record

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Professional record breakdown
2 matches 2 wins 0 losses
By knockout 1 0
By decision 1 0
Draws 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 2–0   Virtue Maea Unanimous Decision Princesses of Pain 47 30 July 2016 3 3:00 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
Win 1–0   Jade Snare KO (Punches) Princesses of Pain 46 21 November 2015 1 0:18 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand

Awards and recognitions

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  • New Zealand Boxing Awards
    • 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Best looking female boxer of the year (Nominated)
    • 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Female Boxer of the Year (Nominated)[38]
    • 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Returning Boxer of the Year (Won)[39]
    • 2023 New Zealand Fight of the year (Won)

References

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  1. ^ "Lani Daniels outslugs Alrie Meleisea in world heavyweight title fight in NZ". Stuff.co.nz. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Alrie Meleisea looks to becoming the first female Pasifika World Champion". Women boxing. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Post Fight with Alrie Masina after UD victory over Kirsty Lupeamanu". Gladrap Channell. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  4. ^ "Two years in the making, Adrian Taihia, Robert Berridge finally meet for NZ boxing title". Stuff.co.nz. 23 October 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  5. ^ "Robbie Berridge Decisions Adrian Taihia in Grudge Match". Boxing Scene. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  6. ^ "Berridge defends New Zealand belt with Taihia triumph". World Boxing News. 30 October 2016. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  7. ^ "Arlie Masina wins second bout". Women Boxing News. 6 November 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  8. ^ "'Samoan Sniper' Kirsty Lupeamanu forced to end career". World Boxing News. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  9. ^ "Women's Heavyweight Revenge or Repeat". Women Boxing News. 4 March 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  10. ^ "Appeal changes Helu vs Davis results". Boxing News 24. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  11. ^ "New Zealand: Meleisea vs Helu II confirmed". Women Boxing News. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  12. ^ "Alrie Meleisea defeats Nailini Helu at ABA Stadium". World Boxing News. 12 March 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  13. ^ "Mandatory Challenger been appoint for New Zealand title". Women's Boxing. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  14. ^ "Alrie Meleisea vs. Sarah Long is On". Women's Boxing. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  15. ^ "New Zealand Heavyweight (NZPBA Version) Champion Alrie Melesiea, defended her title". Women's Boxing. 11 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  16. ^ "Alrie Melesiea to rematch Sarah Long on June 23". World Boxing News. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  17. ^ "Alrie Meleisea postpones June 23 clash due to family death". World Boxing News. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  18. ^ "Long vs. Meleisea II ends in a DRAW". Women Boxing. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  19. ^ "Title fight on the cards for Hemmingway after impressive win". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Massive Heavyweight upset in New Zealand". Women Boxing. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  21. ^ "Melesiea vs Hemingway confirmed for round two". Women Boxing. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  22. ^ "Samoan boxer on the verge of world title shot". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  23. ^ "Alrie Meleisea Wins Second New Zealand Title, World Title Looming". Scoop. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  24. ^ "Hemingway misses out on NZ title with loss to Meleisea". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  25. ^ "Women's boxing divisional rankings: Seniesa Estrada ends 2022 as the top strawweight". ESPN. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  26. ^ "Lani Daniels: Talks underway for potential historic world title fight". Maori TV. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  27. ^ "Lani Daniels: IBF confirms world title fight for 'humble' fighter from Pīpīwai". Maori TV. 15 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  28. ^ "IBF World rankings". IBF. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  29. ^ "WBO World rankings" (PDF). WBO. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  30. ^ "Post Fight with Alrie Masina after UD victory over Kirsty Lupeamanu". Gladrap Channell. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  31. ^ "NZPBA Champions". NZPBA. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  32. ^ "NZPBA Rankings". NZPBA. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  33. ^ "UBF Asia Pacific Region". UBF. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  34. ^ "UBF Women's Heavyweight Champions". UBF. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  35. ^ "Hemingway misses out on NZ title with loss to Meleisea". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  36. ^ "Meleisea wins N.Z. heavyweight title". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  37. ^ "Alrie Meleisea". Boxrec. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  38. ^ "Gladrap Awards 2019 winners". Gladrap Channel. Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  39. ^ "Gladrap Awards 2019". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
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