Papuni Boxing Ōtautahi recently held the Rangatahi Toa boxing event to introduce a new generation of boxers. The man at the heart of this kaupapa, Reece Papuni, is a highly accomplished boxing coach and athlete with over 25 years of experience in the sport. Reece shares his skills, passion, and knowledge for boxing through his own gym based in Ōtautahi.

Footage captured by: https://www.facebook.com/LasskohlVisuals/

Reece Papuni (Ngā Rauru, Ngāi Tahu, Ruawaipu), is the first to acknowledge that his twenty-five-year boxing career helped make him the man he is today, and now, as founder and head coach of Papuni Boxing Ōtautahi, he is sharing those same important lessons with the rangatahi who join his boxing classes. “Our kaupapa is not just about teaching the physical aspects of boxing. We want to create a safe, supportive environment where rangatahi can learn key values and life skills that will enable them to take care of their own physical and mental health and wellbeing.”

A not-for-profit gym in Christchurch is seeing a huge increase in young women getting into boxing. Former pro and Commonwealth Games fighter Reece Papuni is providing a space for people from all different cultures to gain skills not only inside the boxing ring but outside too.