Nelson Boxer Christine Gillespie scheduled for Pro debut for New Zealand title
3x New Zealand national amateur boxing champion Christine Gillespie will be making her pro boxing debut for the New Zealand (NZPBA version) Bantamweight title against rival Anna Collie on March 23rd.
This title fight will be history in the making as no one has won the New Zealand national Bantamweight title since 1948 when Lyn Philp won the title before retiring in 1954. There have only been eight New Zealand bantamweight champions in history, however, there has never been a female New Zealand bantamweight champion, making this a historical fight.
33-year-old Christine Gillespie will be making her professional boxing debut after a well-credential amateur boxing career. In her amateur career, she has won the New Zealand national title three years in a row in the elite division between 2020 - 2022. She has won multiple Golden Gloves titles including the Australian Golden Gloves in 2023.
Gillespie has represented New Zealand in major world tournaments including the 2023 India IBA Women's World Boxing Championships, winning the Bronze medal at the 2023 Solomon Islands Pacific Games and multiple Australian tournaments.
She has fought some of the best amateur boxers in the world including the 2018 Australian Commonwealth Games Bronze medalist Tasmyn Benny, Australian boxer Tiana Echegaray who is qualified for the 2024 Olympics, New Zealand highest ranked female boxer Erin Walsh and many more.
Gillespie will be taking on long-time rival Anna Collie. According to boxrec, the two have fought three times in their amateur career with Gillespie winning twice out of the three fights. All three fights were in the finals of a tournament with Gillespie winning the national titles and Collie's win for the Wellington regional title.
Gillespie has more international experience on her side as well as an extra win over Collie, which could give Gillespie an edge in this fight.
The two were meant to fight for the New Zealand professional boxing title at the end of last year, however, the promoter “Golden Horse Promotions” abruptly cancelled the fight without reason. Thankfully a new promoter “RAZOR Promotions” has put the fight on.
Anna Collie being from Wellington will have the hometown advantage coming into this fight. In her amateur career, she has won multiple Golden Gloves titles and Wellington Regional titles. She has reached the finals twice at the New Zealand national championships with both times losing to Gillespie.
Anna Collie being from Wellington will have the hometown advantage coming into this fight. In her amateur career, she has won multiple Golden Gloves titles and Wellington Regional titles. She has reached the finals twice at the New Zealand national championships with both times losing to Gillespie.
In 2022, Collie got to have a rare honour where she fought on the same card as her son Xavier. Collie entered the boxing later in her life, with her fighting her fight boxing fight at the age of 33. Now she enters the professional boxing scene in her early 40s. A lot of other female boxers who began later in their career have had success.
There are two important names to her amateur boxing resume. She has fought Tasmyn Benny three times in her career with the most recent fight in December 2022. The other name is Alina Peach who alongside her husband Isaac Peach, is one of the best trainers in New Zealand today.
Collie comes in with another advantage over Gillespie. Collie made her professional boxing debut in August 2023 in Porirua against Sarah Linton. Collie won the fight by Unanimous Decision. Collie now with experience in professional boxing could give her an edge.
Christine Gillespie vs Anna Collie for the vacant New Zealand national (NZPBA version) Bantamweight title will happen on the 23rd of March at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua. Tickets are on sale now at https://tickets.ticketspace.co.nz/tickets/rumble-muay-thai-kickboxing-and-boxing
The New Zealand title will main event a full combat sports card, which will showcase MMA, Muay Thai, Corporate boxing and professional boxing, featuring fights from Adam Manisy, Anna Collie, Nasser Tato, Zion Perry and more.