Sam Rapira (boxer)

Sam Rapira (born 2 November 1983) is a New Zealand boxing promoter and professional boxer.

For the rugby league player, see Sam Rapira.
Sam Rapira
BornSamuel Rapira
(1983-11-02) 2 November 1983
New Plymouth, New Zealand
Other namesThe Terror
ResidenceNew Plymouth, New Zealand
Height182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight79.3 kg (175 lb; 12 st 7 lb)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Reach183 cm (72.0 in)
StanceOrthodox
TrainerLolo Heimuli
Years active2013–2017
Professional boxing record
Total20
Wins16
By knockout10
Losses4
By knockout2
Draws0
Amateur record
Total70
Wins59
Losses11
Other information
OccupationPromoter and Professional Boxer
Notable relativesSam Rapira (Cousins)
Websitewww.rapiraboxing.co.nz
Boxing record from BoxRec
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  New Zealand
Arafura Games
2011 Darwin Light-heavyweight
last updated on: 28 January 2017

Rapira had a very well credentialed amateur career, fighting 70 fights before turning pro.[1] Rapira was his own promoter, promoting every fight he has had in New Plymouth.[2]

Charity

Rapira, his brother Jake and their co-owned boxing gym do regular charity work for the community and SPCA. Their biggest contribution is organizing food banks for the winter months and Christmas Season. They donate to the community including the food banks on average a hundred times a month.[3]

Personal life

Born in, New Plymouth, New Zealand, Rapira is the cousin of New Zealand rugby league international, Sam Rapira.

Amateur career

Rapira has fought in seventy amateur boxing bouts, fighting local stars like Reece Papuni and Gunnar Jackson, Australian Damien Hooper, and German Champion, Enrice Koelling. Rapira biggest win was at the 2011 Arafura Games where he won the silver medal in the 81 kg division.[4] The biggest upset of the tournament was when Rapira defeated world ranked number one at the time Vijender Singh. Sam Rapira was the captain of the New Zealand Boxing team, which went on to win five Golds and three Silvers.[5]

Professional career

Berridge vs Rapira

In July 2016, Rapira Announced that he will be self promoting his 8th show with Rapira taking on Robert Berridge in the main event. This is one of New Zealand's most talked about dream fight in the light heavyweight weight division. The bout took place at TSB Stadium in September 2016.[6] Berridge won the bout by unanimous decision.[7] After the bout Berridge commented on how poor referee David Craig (who is also President of New Zealand National Boxing Federation) officiated the fight, with the lack of control and not stepping in when there was too much holding or wrestling.[8]

Ford vs Rapira

On 29 October 2016, it was announced that Rapira would face Ryan Ford on 17 February 2017 for the Vacant UBO World Light Heavyweight Championship.[9][10] He lost the fight via TKO in the ninth round.[11]

Maniapoto vs Rapira

On 5 April 2017, Rapira announced his retirement fight which will take place on 26 May against undefeated boxer, Tipene Maniapoto.[12] Rapira final undercard will include the debut of Tania Reid going up against Wendy Talbot and Taranaki's Simon Jullen going against Taihiti's Tautu Brillant.[13] A few days before the bout, Rapira announce that the fight was upgraded to a title bout for the PABA title.[14] Rapira won the bout by Unanimous Decision with Maniapoto being knocked down multiple times throughout the bout.

Championships

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
20 fights 16 wins 4 losses
By knockout 10 2
By decision 6 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
20 Win 16–4 Tipene Maniapoto UD 10 26 May 2017 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Won Vacant PABA Light Heavyweight Title
19 Loss 15–4 Ryan Ford TKO 9 (12), 2:09 17 February 2017 Foochow Building, Singapore For Vacant UBO World Light Heavyweight Title
18 Lose 15–3 Robert Berridge[18] UD 8 16 September 2016 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand
17 Win 15–2 Craig Turner[19] TKO 4 (6) 30 June 2016 Standfords Event Centre, Opunake, New Zealand
16 Win 14–2 Togasilimai Letoa[20] UD 8 2 April 2016 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand
15 Win 13–2 Vaimoli Ioelu[21] UD 4 25 February 2016 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
14 Win 12–2 Sivan Hermez[22] TKO 4 (6) 12 December 2015 The Hub, Hawera New Zealand
13 Loss 11–2 Rob Powdrill SD 10 22 August 2015 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand For Vacant IBO Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Title[23]
12 Win 11–1 Sam Loli[24] UD 6 26 June 2015 Standfords Event Centre, Opunake, New Zealand
11 Win 10–1 Dean Purdon[25] KO 3 (10) 2:46 18 April 2015 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Won Vacant IBO Asia Pacific Light Heavyweight Title
10 Win 9–1 Edwin Samy[26] SD 6 7 February 2015 War Memorial Hall, Waitara, New Zealand
9 Loss 8–1 Reece Papuni[27] TKO 4 (10) 16 October 2014 The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand Lost NZNBF Light Heavyweight Title
8 Win 8–0 Richard Hackney[28] KO 5 (10) 12 September 2014 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Won Vacant NZNBF Light Heavyweight Title
7 Win 7–0 Taito Ratuere[29] UD 6 4 June 2014 The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
6 Win 6–0 Kashif Mumtaz[30] TKO 2 (6) 2:43 14 February 2014 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand
5 Win 5–0 Moses Ioelu[31] KO 4 (6) 13 December 2013 YMCA Gymnasium, New Plymouth, New Zealand
4 Win 4–0 Isaia Maku Jnr[32] TKO 1 (6) 2:21 16 November 2013 Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, New Zealand
3 Win 3–0 Atalili Fai[33] TKO 3 (4) 10 October 2013 The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
2 Win 2–0 Viliami Toafi[34] TKO 1 (4) 2:09 13 June 2013 The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
1 Win 1–0 Scott Taliauli TKO 3 (4) 0:35 6 April 2013 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Promoted 8 Fight nights[35]
Date. Location Featured Bout Title Role
2017-05-26 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Sam Rapira vs Tipene Maniapoto Promoter
2016-09-16 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Sam Rapira vs Robert Berridge Promoter
2016-04-02 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Sam Rapira vs Togasilimai Letoa Promoter
2015-08-22 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Sam Rapira vs Rob Powdrill Vacant IBO Inter-Continental light heavyweight title Promoter
2015-04-18 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Sam Rapira vs Dean Purdon Vacant IBO Asia Pacific Light Heavyweight Title Promoter
2014-09-12 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Sam Rapira vs Richard Hackney Vacant NZNBF Light Heavyweight Title Promoter
2014-02-14 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Chauncy Welliver vs Billy Wright WBC Latino, WBC FECARBOX, WBC Asian Boxing Council heavyweight titles Promoter
2013-12-13 YMCA Gymnasium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Sam Rapira vs Moses Ioelu Promoter
2013-04-06 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Sam Rapira vs Scott Taliauli Promoter

Awards and recognitions
  • 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Event of the year (Won) [36]

References
  1. "Rapira wins first pro fight by TKO". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  2. "IBO Champions". IBO. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  3. "Boxing for beans". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  4. "Arafura Games 2011 - Boxing". Fox Sports Pulse. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  5. "Arafura Games 2011 - Boxing Medal Tale". Fox Sports Pulse. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  6. "Sam Rapira to face top-ranked light heavyweight". Taranaki Daily News. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  7. "Sam Rapira suffers unanimous decision loss to Robert Berridge in New Plymouth". Taranaki Daily News. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  8. "Boxer Robert "The Butcher" Berridge yells at the Referee during Post Fight Interview!". Gladrap Channel. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  9. "UBO Upcoming bouts and events".
  10. "Ryan Ford vs. Sam Rapira".
  11. "UBO Roar in Singapore results".
  12. "Last fight announced for Sam Rapira". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  13. "Undercard for Rapira's final fight revealed". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  14. "Sam Rapira about to put an end to the Terror". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  15. "Patient Sam Rapira claims New Zealand belt". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  16. "Rapira Boxing Events". Rapira Boxing. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  17. "Sam Rapira claims vacant title in final bout of career". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  18. "Sam Rapira suffers unanimous decision loss to Robert Berridge in New Plymouth". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  19. "Rapira rapt with latest performance as he Ko's opponent". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  20. "Sam Rapira wins unanimous points decision over Samoan champion". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  21. "Boxing: Fighting fit, ready to rumble for charity". NZHerald. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  22. "Sam Rapira wins comeback fight". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  23. "Career in limbo as Rapira takes time to reflect". Stuff. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  24. "Langton gets the business done in front of vocal home crowd". Stuff. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  25. "Sam Rapira thrills hometown fans with title win". Stuff. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  26. "Rapira bounces back at fight night". Stuff. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  27. "Boxer Reece Papuni shows he is the real deal". Stuff. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  28. "Patient Sam Rapira claims New Zealand belt". Stuff. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  29. "Boxing: Meehan takes inaugural Super 8 final". NZHerald. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  30. "Big boys biff before bad break ends it". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  31. "Rapira builds on his winning streak". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  32. "Boxing: Tua retires after defeat". NZHerald. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  33. "One-way traffic for Sam Rapira against Atalili Fai". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  34. "Relentless Sam Rapira powers to fast TKO". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  35. "Sam Rapira Boxrec Promoter Record". Boxrec. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  36. "Gladrap Awards 2019". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
Vacant
Title last held by
Taito Ratuere
Stripped		 NZNBF Light Heavyweight
Title
12 September 2014 – 16 October 2014		 Succeeded by
Reece Papuni
Vacant
Title last held by
Sonni Michael Angelo
Vacated		 IBO Asia Pacific Light Heavyweight
Title
18 April 2015 – 22 August 2015		 Incumbent
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