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DeutschSam Rapira (boxer)
| Sam Rapira | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | Samuel Rapira 2 November 1983 New Plymouth, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||
| Other names | The Terror | ||||||||||||||
| Residence | New Plymouth, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 182 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 79.3 kg (175 lb; 12 st 7 lb) | ||||||||||||||
| Division | Light Heavyweight | ||||||||||||||
| Reach | 183 cm (72.0 in) | ||||||||||||||
| Stance | Orthodox | ||||||||||||||
| Trainer | Lolo Heimuli | ||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2013–2017 | ||||||||||||||
| Professional boxing record | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 21 | ||||||||||||||
| Wins | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| Losses | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Draws | 0 | ||||||||||||||
| Amateur record | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 70 | ||||||||||||||
| Wins | 59 | ||||||||||||||
| Losses | 11 | ||||||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Promoter and Professional Boxer | ||||||||||||||
| Notable relatives | Sam Rapira (Cousins) | ||||||||||||||
| Website | www | ||||||||||||||
| Boxing record from BoxRec | |||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||
Last updated on: 28 January 2017 | |||||||||||||||
Sam Rapira (born 2 November 1983) is a New Zealand boxing promoter and professional boxer.
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]
Amateur career
[edit]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.[3] 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.[4]
Professional career
[edit]New Zealand dream fights, international fights 2016
[edit]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.[5] Berridge won the bout by unanimous decision.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8][9] He lost the fight via TKO in the ninth round.[10]
Retirement 2017 - 2018
[edit]On 5 April 2017, Rapira announced his retirement fight which will take place on 26 May against undefeated boxer, Tipene Maniapoto.[11] 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.[12] A few days before the bout, Rapira announce that the fight was upgraded to a title bout for the PABA title.[13] Rapira won the bout by Unanimous Decision with Maniapoto being knocked down multiple times throughout the bout.[14] On 19 May 2018, Rapria made his return to the ring to take on Ratu Dawai for the New Zealand National (PBCNZ version) Light Heavyweight title.[15] Rapira lost the fight by TKO when his trainer threw in the towel in round seven, ending the career for Rapira.[16] Since retiring from the ring, Rapira remains an active promoter, putting on regular boxing events throughout the year.[17][18]
Health problems after boxing
[edit]Since retiring from boxing, Rapira has been diagnosed with Dementia Pugilistica also known as Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.[19] He stated he started feeling the CTE symptoms before his last fight in 2018. Rapira is urging people taking part in combat sports to use the best protective equipment available.[20]
Championships
[edit]Professional boxing record
[edit]| 21 fights | 16 wins | 5 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 10 | 3 |
| By decision | 6 | 2 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Lose | 16–5 |  Ratu Dawai | TKO | 7 (10), 1:18 | 19 May 2018 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | Vacant New Zealand National (PBCNZ version) Light Heavyweight Title |
| 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[24] | UD | 8 | 16 September 2016 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | |
| 17 | Win | 15–2 | Craig Turner[25] | TKO | 4 (6) | 30 June 2016 | Standfords Event Centre, Ōpunake, New Zealand | |
| 16 | Win | 14–2 |  Togasilimai Letoa[26] | UD | 8 | 2 April 2016 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | |
| 15 | Win | 13–2 | Vaimoli Ioelu[27] | UD | 4 | 25 February 2016 | ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand | |
| 14 | Win | 12–2 | Sivan Hermez[28] | 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[29] |
| 12 | Win | 11–1 | Sam Loli[30] | UD | 6 | 26 June 2015 | Standfords Event Centre, Ōpunake, New Zealand | |
| 11 | Win | 10–1 | Dean Purdon[31] | 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[32] | SD | 6 | 7 February 2015 | War Memorial Hall, Waitara, New Zealand | |
| 9 | Loss | 8–1 | Reece Papuni[33] | TKO | 4 (10) | 16 October 2014 | The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand | Lost New Zealand National (NZNBF version) Light Heavyweight Title |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 |  Richard Hackney[34] | KO | 5 (10) | 12 September 2014 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | Won Vacant New Zealand National (NZNBF version) Light Heavyweight Title |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Taito Ratuere[35] | UD | 6 | 4 June 2014 | The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 |  Kashif Mumtaz[36] | TKO | 2 (6) 2:43 | 14 February 2014 | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Moses Ioelu[37] | KO | 4 (6) | 13 December 2013 | YMCA Gymnasium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Isaia Maku Jnr[38] | TKO | 1 (6) 2:21 | 16 November 2013 | Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, New Zealand | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Atalili Fai[39] | TKO | 3 (4) | 10 October 2013 | The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Viliami Toafi[40] | 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 |
Personal life and charity work
[edit]Born in, New Plymouth, New Zealand, Rapira is the cousin of New Zealand rugby league international, Sam Rapira. 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.[41]
Awards and recognitions
[edit]- 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Event of the year (Won)[42]
References
[edit]- ^ "Rapira wins first pro fight by TKO". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "IBO Champions". IBO. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Arafura Games 2011 - Boxing". Fox Sports Pulse. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ "Arafura Games 2011 - Boxing Medal Tale". Fox Sports Pulse. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ "Sam Rapira to face top-ranked light heavyweight". Taranaki Daily News. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ "Sam Rapira suffers unanimous decision loss to Robert Berridge in New Plymouth". Taranaki Daily News. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ "Boxer Robert "The Butcher" Berridge yells at the Referee during Post Fight Interview!". Gladrap Channel. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ "UBO Upcoming bouts and events".
- ^ "Ryan Ford vs. Sam Rapira". Facebook.
- ^ "UBO Roar in Singapore results".
- ^ "Last fight announced for Sam Rapira". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- ^ "Undercard for Rapira's final fight revealed". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
- ^ "Sam Rapira about to put an end to the Terror". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ "Sam Rapira claims vacant title in final bout of career". Taranaki Daily News. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ "Shaye Brock and Bowyn Morgan in battle to be called the best". Stuff NZ. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ "Boxer Sam Rapira retires from ring after coach throws towel in during title fight". Stuff NZ. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ "Taranaki's Sam Rapira to remain outside the ring at fight night". Stuff NZ. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ "Sam Rapira boxes on". Taranaki Daily News. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ "Champion boxer Sam Rapira reveals dementia diagnosis". Radio New Zealand. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ "'It's about longevity as a human' - Boxer's safety message packs a punch". Stuff NZ. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ "Patient Sam Rapira claims New Zealand belt". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Rapira Boxing Events". Rapira Boxing. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Sam Rapira claims vacant title in final bout of career". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
- ^ "Sam Rapira suffers unanimous decision loss to Robert Berridge in New Plymouth". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Rapira rapt with latest performance as he Ko's opponent". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Sam Rapira wins unanimous points decision over Samoan champion". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Boxing: Fighting fit, ready to rumble for charity". NZHerald. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Sam Rapira wins comeback fight". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Career in limbo as Rapira takes time to reflect". Stuff. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Langton gets the business done in front of vocal home crowd". Stuff. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Sam Rapira thrills hometown fans with title win". Stuff. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Rapira bounces back at fight night". Stuff. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Boxer Reece Papuni shows he is the real deal". Stuff. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Patient Sam Rapira claims New Zealand belt". Stuff. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Boxing: Meehan takes inaugural Super 8 final". NZHerald. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Big boys biff before bad break ends it". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Rapira builds on his winning streak". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Boxing: Tua retires after defeat". NZHerald. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "One-way traffic for Sam Rapira against Atalili Fai". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Relentless Sam Rapira powers to fast TKO". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ "Boxing for beans". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Gladrap Awards 2019". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
External links
[edit]- Boxing record for Sam Rapira from BoxRec (registration required)
- Rapira Boxing Website