Promising young boxer lacks local competition | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

Teenage boxer Tegan Madden may be struggling for female sparring partners, but not for form.

The 16-year-old is trying to box her way to the world championships in Barbadoes in September.

To get there, she must win both the South Island (in Greymouth on Saturday) and New Zealand Golden Gloves championships over the next month. That would give her the No.1 ranking in New Zealand.

Coach Paul Fitzsimons said Madden had been training hard and her chances of winning were good.  

"She's got big potential on the world stage," he said.

"She's had 30 fights and she's lost four, but it's just believing in herself a wee bit more to compete with senior girls, and I believe she can go all the way."

Madden, who weighs in at 58kg, had won five New Zealand junior boxing titles, but has to step up to the senior division to qualify for the world championships.

Fitzsimons said the challenge for her in the senior division would be fighting an extra round.

The lack of female boxers in Christchurch was "holding her back a wee bit," he said. It was difficult to get sparring and fights in the South Island and she often had to travel to Auckland or Australia for competition.

Trainer Wayne Vaega said Madden also needed more competition against southpaws - those who fight as left handed boxers - as she does.

Despite her unorthodox stance, Madden said because her father was a boxing coach the sport was a natural choice for her.

"I started when I was nine. I used to go down to the gym and hit the bag and as soon as I could start boxing I did."

Madden said she enjoyed the challenge mentally and physically.

"You have to put so much work into it."

That mind-set has impressed Fitzsimons. "She's got a great attitude. No matter what you show her or teach her she takes it on board and she really wants it," he said.

With women's boxing now at the Olympics, Madden's ultimate goal is to represent New Zealand there. First, she had to believe she could get there.  

"Her best attributes are her balance, defence and foot work.

"Man, the speed she's got, it's unreal. She's going to be explosive, but it's just getting that confidence to step up and she'll be away. She's got great potential in the future of top boxing in New Zealand," said Fitzsimons.