Blood pours from the hairline of Shannon O’Connell during in the Catchweight fight against Mea Motu in Sydney. Photo: Photosport
Boxing immortality awaits Mea Motu as she attempts to become Aotearoa's first-ever unified world champion. The unbeaten Motu will meet Britain's Ellie Scotney for the unified bantamweight world titles on Sunday morning in Nottingham. The rise has been rapid for Motu, who only made her professional debut in 2020. Ahead of the biggest fight of her career, RNZ looks back at 13 career defining performances from the 'NightMea'.
1 - November 13th 2020, beat Sally Kaokao TKO 1 minute 59 seconds into round two. Record: 2-0.
Just her second career bout, and a first finish for Motu. While it proved a one and only pro boxing bout for Kaokao. Kaokao was on the ropes early with her hands up as Motu kept mixing up her attack from the body to the head, and the referee stepped in after several clean shots.
2 - December 19th 2020, beat Katala Hansen by round one TKO after 1 minute and 10 seconds. Record: 4-0.
A blink and you'll miss it finish as Motu unleashed a barrage to Hansen, who was hunched over in pain after just 30 seconds. After being given time to recover, Motu needed just 20 more seconds and a dozen more shots before the referee intervened, Hansen battered against the corner.
3 - March 26th 2021, beat Tania Reid by TKO in round three, winning NZPBA Lightweight Title. Record: 6-0.
Just four months after her debut, and Motu wins gold for the first but certainly not the last time, and was yet to fight in her natural weight class. A high pressure flurry from Motu had Reid right on the ropes, a final right hook to the head sending her to the canvas, only the second round bell saving Reid. Just ten seconds in the third, and a body head combination sealed the deal.
4 - April 9th 2021, beat Toni Moki by round one TKO after 1 minute 59 seconds. Record: 7-0.
Another first round knockout for the 'NightMea'.Moki was dropped earlier with a body shot and was immediately backed into the corner upon getting back to her feet, the referee stopping it after an eight punch barrage of unanswered flush shots to the head and body.
Mea Motu vs Toni Moki in 2021. Photo: Andrew Cornaga
5 - July 3rd 2021, beat Michaela Jenkins by unanimous decision after eight rounds to win the PBCNZ Super Lightweight Title. Record: 9-0.
A ninth fight in eight months, back to back decision wins over her fellow Kiwi and more gold for Motu. Questions asked of her stamina were well and truly answered and Motu displayed acumen to control her energy, quality head movement against the southpaw Muay Thai fighter and her trademark power. Motu controlled the pace well, cut Jenkins in the second, and buried her with volume. While brave, Jenkins was simply outboxed across the eight rounds.
6 - February 12th 2022, beat Ayisha Abied by round one knockout after 1 minute 25 seconds to win the PBCNZ Featherweight Title. Record: 11-0.
Another strap, and another round one stoppage. Her fifth KO came as a result of relentless body shots which crumbled Abied. Sending her down for an eight count, Abied's night was over soon after when Mea cracked her in the midsection for a final time.
7 - April 30th 2022, beat Baby Nansen by unanimous decision after eight rounds to win the PBCNZ Super Featherweight Title 12-0
This was a bloodbath. Fighting two classes above her usual division, Motu faced her most experienced opponent in Samoa's Nasen and these women went hammer and tong at each other. With Nansen utilising her reach advantage to pepper Motu with body shots, Motu responded with some vicious head shots, leaving Nansen covered in crimson after eight violent rounds, Motu again getting the nod via UD.
8 - August 19th 2022, beat Thanchanok Phanan by TKO 1 minute 39 seconds into round four to win the PBCNZ International Featherweight Title. Record: 13-0.
Motu rattled her Thai opponent early, Phanan struggling to cope with the high octane pressure of Motu, and early into the fourth Motu would overwhelm her with brutal body blows.
9 - November 26th 2022, beat Nastaran Fathi by split decision after eight rounds to win the WBC Super Bantamweight Title. Record: 15-0.
Her closest result to date, but a win which saw her claim a first international title fighting in Dubai. Motu battled through the UAE heat as well as an early head clash which swelled her eye, earning the nod on two out of three judges scorecards.
10- April 27th 2023, beat Tania Walters by unanimous decision after ten rounds to win the IBO Super Bantamweight World title. Record: 16-0.
The rise was compete. Motu again proved she can go to deep waters and still have her hand raised. A long ten rounds against the Canadian, in which 'the Tank' caused some trouble late in the ninth, Motu prevailed with scorecards reading 98-92, 96-94 and 99-91 all in favour of the 'NightMea.'
11- August 26th 2023, beat Ellen Simwaka by unanimous decision after ten rounds to defend her IBO World title. Record: 17-0.
Done with a dislocated shoulder, her first title defence went the distance, the Malawian 'Tigress' seriously testing the new champion early as the injury occurred, before Motu took firm control, eventually claiming another comfortable scalp, scoring 98-92 and two 97-93's.
Mea Motu v Ellen Simwaka for the IBO world super bantamweight title. Photo: Photosport
12- April 26th 2024, beat Noppaket Srisawas by TKO 59 seconds into round two Record: 19-0.
Giving away 10kg to Srisawas, the Thai fighter barely fired a shot as Motu thoroughly out-classed her in Auckland, a barrage of shots mercifully ending the bout in the second. Following the victory, Motu set her sights on IBF and WBO world champion Ellie Scotney.
13- October 4th 2024, beat Shannon O'Connell by TKO 1 minute 2 seconds into round four. Record: 20-0.
A dominant, destructive performance, sure to send a chill down Scotney's spine. A bloodied and battered O'Connell's corner was forced to throw in the towel to save their fighter from further damage at the hands of Motu. A clinic by the champ.
Mea Motu vs Elie Scotney
Sunday Janurary 26 approx 8.45am NZT
For the WBO, IBF, Ringside Magzine Bantamweight World Titles
Nottingham, England.
