IBO Super Banatmweight Champion Mea Motu Targets All The Belts' That's The Number One Goal For Me'

After capturing the IBO title while overcoming the ghosts from her past Mea Motu is now ready to take on the world.

For most boxers dealing with the pressure of their first world title bout is a feat in itself. However, since turning pro in 2020, Aotearoa's Mea Motu has repeatedly proved that she is unlike most boxers.

On the 27th of April, inside Auckland's Eventfinda Stadium, Motu, a four-division New Zealand national champion, captured the vacant IBO Super Bantamweight World Championship following her unanimous decision win over Canada's Tania Walters.

The 33-year-old's victory made national headlines, but what made her performance even more impressive was that it had taken place after Motu had spent the build-up to the biggest fight of her career, opening up to the public for the first time up about the decade's worth of domestic abuse she had suffered before turning her life around.

"I took that leap of faith, and it drained me. It took a lot of energy out of me to tell my story, " Motu explains.

"It was an emotional rollercoaster, full of emotions and trauma because I went through so much trauma for so long."

Before her fight with Walters, Motu had been steadily building herself a reputation as one of New Zealand's most promising boxing talents. She had earned plaudits from fans and media as she conquered the domestic scene in devastating style. Her ferocious power and willingness to compete against fighters up to 10kg heavier than herself had many pundits predicting big things for the mother of five.

However, Motu's media coverage during her rise up the domestic ranks was focused squarely on her in-ring success. In contrast, in the run-up to the Walters' fight, Motu's decision to bravely share what she had overcome to reach her world title opportunity saw the media spotlight shining brighter on her than ever before.

Her story struck a chord with the New Zealand public, and in the weeks leading up to her title fight, she found herself rapidly turning into a national sporting celebrity with her inspiring story.

"That was a cool thing about me sharing my voice because it brought out other women and not just women, even men, kids, and teenagers, you know, it gave them the courage and strength to use their voice," Motu says.

"I didn't realize the amount of stuff I had held on to for so long, and it was so tiring that I finally let it out. I was proud that I let it out. "

On the night of her championship bout, Motu made history by winning her first world title while becoming the first female boxer to headline Fight for Life — regarded as New Zealand's premier boxing promotion and where former WBO Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker cut his teeth.

Few boxers have dealt with the intense scrutiny of sharing their most private moments with the world ahead of the most important fight of their careers, but Motu shouldered the weight of the challenge and emerged even stronger.

"I thought I was going to collapse. I thought I was going to break and be like, 'Oh, I've had enough,' but no, it actually was healing, but at the same time, it was very tiring.

After starting a new chapter in her life, personally and professionally, Motu aims to unify the super bantamweight division. This weekend WBA and IBF straps will be up for grabs, with Venezuela's Mayerlin Rivas defending her title against the undefeated Argentinian Nazarena Romero in Argentina. Meanwhile, across the ocean in England, Australia's Cherneka " Sugar Neekz" Johnson will put her IBF title against the surging British fighter Ellie Scotney.

Motu will pay close attention to both bouts but will be particularly interested in Johnson vs. Scotney. Johnson, who represents Australia, was born in New Zealand and, like Motu, is of Maori heritage. If Johnson defends her title, a showdown between her and Motu could be on the table. It is a matchup that would generate significant interest on both sides of the Tasman Ocean and a contest Motu would love to participate in.

"It would be an awesome fight. I would definitely love the opportunity to fight her, " Motu says.

I'd be proud, to be honest, because it's two [ World Champion] Maoris...It'll be historical. Like, how amazing is that? Two Maori [boxers] fighting for world titles."

The challenge of unifying her division is what drives Motu. She entered boxing to win world titles but to do so by taking on the best of the best.

"The cool thing about being in the super bantamweight division is that all the belts are spread out. No one person has got all the belts, " Motu says.

"It makes me even more determined. I've got to work hard to try and get all the belts because that's the number one goal for me.

After this weekend, the landscape of the super women bantamweight scene will be more apparent, and Motu can begin plotting her next steps. She is due to defend her IBO strap within the next two months, and after that, she will set her sights on becoming the super bantamweight division's unified champion.

After conquering the ghosts of her past, Motu is ready and willing to face whatever challenges await her in the ring.