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Fighter Profile & Fight Preview: Francis Waitai vs. Mikey Helg – June 29, 2025
Francis Waitai: The Champion
Francis Waitai, known as "The Punisher," hails from Paeroa and boasts a professional record of 11 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw, with 1 win coming by way of knockout. He claimed the Pro Box NZ Super Middleweight title in October 2020 and has successfully defended it three times. In May 2023, Waitai secured the WBC Australasia Silver Super Middleweight title with a TKO victory over Queensland's Tangariki Mauri. Most recently, on May 10, 2025, he captured the vacant IBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight Title with a dominant 10-round unanimous decision over veteran Tej Pratap Singh.
Waitai is a well-rounded, disciplined fighter known for his ring IQ and relentless pressure. His recent performances demonstrate a growing maturity and a sharp technical style that makes him a difficult puzzle to solve in the ring.
Michael Herangi-Helg: The Challenger
Michael Herangi-Helg, representing Ngāpuhi and Waikato-Tainui, enters the ring with an unblemished record of 7 wins, including 4 by knockout. In June 2024, Helg captured the vacant New Zealand Light Heavyweight title with a fourth-round TKO over veteran Joshua Tai, becoming the first to hold that title in four years. Known for his composure, athleticism, and technical prowess, Helg has shown the ability to control the tempo of a fight and deliver calculated power shots.
Now campaigning at super middleweight, Helg looks to take the biggest step of his career by challenging for regional honours against a proven champion. With a sharp jab, efficient footwork, and an ever-growing confidence, Helg presents a very real threat to Waitai’s reign.
The Matchup: Why This Fight Matters
This is a marquee clash for New Zealand boxing – a meeting between an established champion and an undefeated contender on the rise. A win for Francis Waitai would establish him as the man to beat in the New Zealand super middleweight scene, solidifying his claim as the division’s top operator. For Mikey Helg, victory would mark a breakout moment, potentially opening the door to international opportunities and a climb up the global rankings.
What makes this bout so compelling is not just the records or the title on the line, but the mindset of both fighters. Waitai and Helg are stepping up to face each other in their prime – not waiting for safer options, but instead embracing the challenge. In a sport where calculated risk often overshadows bold decisions, this matchup stands as a testament to both fighters’ competitive spirit and willingness to prove themselves the hard way: in the ring, against the best opposition available.
Event Details- Date: Saturday, June 29, 2025
- Venue: Due Drop Events Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
- Title: IBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight Title
This is a fight New Zealand boxing fans won't want to miss – a true battle between ambition and experience, youth and grit, challenger and champion.
https://open.substack.com/pub/nzboxingch...Share=true
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