Michelle Preston (born 11 November 1978 in Manchester, United Kingdom) is a Muay Thai Fighter and professional boxer. Preston resides in Auckland, New Zealand, where she has fought most of her professional fights. Preston has held many titles including New Zealand National Title, WBA Regional title and WBO Regional title. Preston is also a World title contender, fighting for the IBF World super flyweight title against Argentinian World Champion Debora Anahi Dionicius.[1] Preston is also a Five time World Kickboxing Champion.[2][3][4] Preston has fought on four King in the Ring undercards. Preston won her last World title on 17 November 2017 on the Main Undercard of King in the Ring. Preston won the vacant WBC Muaythai World Super Flyweight Champion against Fani Peloumpi by Majority decision.[5]

Michelle Preston
BornMichelle Preston
(1978-11-11) 11 November 1978 (age 45)
Manchester, United Kingdom
NicknamePressure
ResidenceAuckland, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealander
British (expatriate)
Height164 cm (5 ft 5 in)
Weight52.6 kg (116 lb; 8 st 4 lb)
Divisionsuper flyweight
Styleorthodox
Professional boxing record
Total22
Wins11
By knockout2
Losses10
Draws1
Kickboxing record
Total60
Wins46
By knockout8
Losses12
Draws2
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Last updated on: 5 July 2022

Kickboxing and Muay Thai edit

Preston started Kickboxing when she was 14 years old. On 17 November 2017, Preston took on Fani Peloumpi for the WBC World Muay Thai Super Flyweight title. Preston planned to retire after this fight.[6] Preston won the fight by Majority Decision at Barfoot & Thompson Stadium.

Professional boxing edit

In December 2007 she became the first female to win the WBA - PABA title. In November 2008, she became the first female to fight for the WBC - OPBF title, losing to Susie Q Ramadan.[7] In July 2010, she become the first female to win the WBO Asia Pacific title. In November 2010 she became the first female to win a New Zealand national professional title by stoppage.[8]

In July 2012, Preston spoken out about her frustrations with promoters in Boxing. She believes that women boxers are marginalised by promoters and that promoters see as a novelty.[9] In July 2012, Preston received her highest ranking by a major boxing sanctioning body when she reach 2nd on the IBF Super Flyweight rankings.[10] On the 24th of November 2012, Preston had her first attempt at a boxing world title, when she took on Argentina Boxer Débora Dionicius for the IBF World super flyweight title.[11] Preston lost the fight by unanimous decision.[12]

In April 2016, Preston took on Noemi Bosques.[13][14][15] This was the first boxing fight for Preston in four years. Preston won the fight by majority decision.[16] On 13 November 2016, Preston fought Débora Dionicius in a rematch for her second attempt at the world title for the World super flyweight title.[17] Leading into the fight Preston was ranked 4th in the IBF,[18] and 20th in the WBC.[19] Preston lost the fight by unanimous decision.

In May 2022, Preston made her in ring return against Holly McMath. The fight was close, but Preston won the fight by Split Decision.[20] Shortly after the fight, it was announced that Preston would take on Phannaluk Kongsang for the WBA Oceania regional title, however, due to visa issues, the fight was postponed and Preston would fight Nicila Costello instead.[21][22] Preston won the fight by Unanimous Decision, winning the WBA Oceania title.[23] After the fight, Preston secured the ranking of 5th with the WBA in the Super Flyweight division.[24] In September 2022, Preston took on Thailand boxer Phannaluk Kongsang for the WBA International Super Flyweight title.[25] Preston won the fight by Unanimous Decision.[26] As a result of the fight, Preston received a rating increase of second in the WBA Super Flyweight rankings.[27]

Combat sports titles edit

Boxing edit

Kickboxing edit

Professional boxing record edit

22 fights 11 wins 10 losses
By knockout 2 0
By decision 9 10
Draws 1

[29]

Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Loss 11–10–1   Jaqueline Mucio

Munoz

TD 6 (8) 27 May 2023   Eventfinda Stadiym, Auckland, New Zealand
Loss 11–9–1   Maribel Ramirez UD 10 18 March 2023   Eventfinda Stadiym, Auckland, New Zealand WBA International Super Flyweight title
Win 11–8–1   Phannaluk Kongsang UD 10 9 September 2022   Eventfinda Stadiym, Auckland, New Zealand vacant WBA International Super Flyweight title
Win 10–8–1   Nicila Costello UD 8 5 August 2022   ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand vacant WBA Oceania Super Flyweight title
Win 9–8–1   Holly McMath SD 4 20 May 2022   Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland, New Zealand
Lose 8–8–1   Débora Dionicius UD 10 3 December 2016   Club Sportivo Rivadavia, Navarro, Buenos Aires, Argentina IBF World super flyweight title
Win 8–7–1   Noemi Bosques MD 8 16 April 2016   The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Lose 7–7–1   Débora Dionicius UD 10 24 November 2012   Club Huracán, Villaguay, Entre Rios, Argentina Vacant IBF World super flyweight title
Lose 7–6–1   Shannon O'Connell UD 6 2012-06-29   ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
Win 7–5–1   Nicki Bigwood TKD 4 (6), 1:18 2012-05-19   ASB Stadium, Kohimarama, New Zealand
Draw 6–5–1   Nicki Bigwood TD 1 (6) 2011-08-25   Takapuna Rugby Football Club, Northcote
Loss 6–5   Susie Ramadan UD 10 2010-12-08   Acer Arena, Olympic Park, Homebush, New South Wales, Australia
Win 6–4   Shona Batty TKO 5 (6), 1:28 2010-11-05   Langham Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand Vacant New Zealand National Boxing Federation super flyweight title[30]
Win 5–4   Jubjang Lookmakarmwan UD 10 2010-07-09   Coral Reef Restaurant, Auckland, New Zealand Vacant WBO Asia Pacific super flyweight title
Win 4–4   Tina Payne UD 4 2010-05-11   Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, Tauranga, New Zealand
Lose 3–4   Christina Tai UD 4 2010-01-31   ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
Lose 3–3   Rie Fujimoto UD 10 2009-09-21   Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan WBC OPBF super flyweight title
Lose 3–2   Susie Ramadan UD 10 2009-03-20   Knox Basketball Stadium, Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia WBC OPBF super bantamweight title
Lose 3–1   Susie Ramadan UD 10 2008-11-28   Knox Basketball Stadium, Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia Vacant WBC OPBF super bantamweight title
Win 3–0   Christina Tai UD 4 2008-08-28   ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
Win 2–0   Edith Smith UD 6 2007-12-21   Community Centre, Freemans Bay, New Zealand vacant PABA bantamweight title
Win 1–0   Georgia Keady UD 6 2007-02-16   Knox Netball Centre, Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia Professional Debut

Personal life edit

Outside of combat sports, Preston is the Director of Life Plus, a recruitment company for the Health Sector in New Zealand.[31]

Awards edit

  • New Zealand Boxing Awards
    • 2022 New Zealand Fight of the year[32]
    • 2022 Returning Female Boxer of the year

References edit

  1. ^ "Dionicius Retains IBF Title: The Women's Weekly Wrap Up". Sportsblog. 30 June 2015. Archived from the original on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  2. ^ "Kickboxing: Hell hath no fury". The New Zealand Herald. 27 September 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  3. ^ "The Focus and Ferocity of New Zealand's All Female Fight Night". Vice. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Kickboxer Kelly Broerse's journey from ballroom dancing to King in the Ring". Stuff NZ. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  5. ^ "KING IN THE RING 86III Results". KING IN THE RING. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Kiwi Muay Thai fighter Michelle Preston hopes to leave the sport on a high". Newshub. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  7. ^ "A tale of two boxers". ABC. 16 July 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  8. ^ "Michelle Preston to make In-ring return". Womens Boxing. 2 May 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Boxing: Women fight stereotypes in ring". New Zealand Herald. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  10. ^ "IBF Womens rankings July 2012". IBF. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Preston chases super flyweight title". New Zealand Herald Sunday News. 18 November 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  12. ^ "2012 produces a mixed bag for Kiwi boxers". Stuff NZ. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Winter Haven boxer Bosques falls in championship bid". The Ledger. 7 February 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Royal Rampage: Three WBC title fights on one night". Ring News 24. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Royal Rampage is the Hot Ticket – April 16 in New Zealand". Women of Boxing. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  16. ^ "New Zealand Women making their mark on the Boxing World". Scoop. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  17. ^ "Michelle Preston Heading Back to Argentina to Rematch Debora Anahi Dionicius for her IBF Title". Women of Boxing. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  18. ^ "IBF Womens rankings October 2016". IBF. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  19. ^ "WBC Womens rankings November 2016". WBC. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Hawarden boxer returns home to New Zealand to fight for National title". Women Boxing. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  21. ^ "Nicilia Costello to fight Michelle Preston for WBA Oceania super flyweight title in August". MMA Crossfire. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  22. ^ "New Zealander vs New Zealander gets title upgrade". Women Boxing. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  23. ^ "Michelle Preston wins WBA Oceania title". Women Boxing. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  24. ^ "WBA Rankings" (PDF). Women Boxing. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  25. ^ "Boxing: Michelle Preston's road back from retirement to WBA world title eliminator". New Zealand Herald. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  26. ^ "Michelle Preston wins WBA International title". Women Boxing. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  27. ^ "WBA Female November Rankings" (PDF). WBA. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  28. ^ "RingsideNZ Fight Night VII Fight 15 Michelle vs Shona". Youtube. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  29. ^ "Michelle Preston". BoxRec. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  30. ^ "RingsideNZ Fight Night VII Fight 15 Michelle vs Shona". Youtube. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  31. ^ "Women in Business: Michelle Batchelor (nee Preston)". preston and blythe. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  32. ^ "2022 New Zealand Boxing Awards". Boxing Awards NZ. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.

External links edit