Punching through to the big time
Connor Campbell has fought his way into the New Zealand boxing team headed for the Commonwealth Games. Photo: Dan Hutchinson
Taupō’s teenage boxing sensation Connor Campbell has been selected to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games next month.
By Dan Hutchinson
Campbell, 18, is one of seven Kiwi boxers selected by the NZ Olympic Committee.
He says it is a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to compete in the games as a teenager.
“It’s one of those things, you know. If you do really well at it, your life changes overnight.
“There’s nothing like just turning 18 and just going out and getting a gold medal at the Commonwealth games. Not many people can say they’ve done that.”
Boxing out of Nuki’s Boxing Gym in Taupō, he is now training six days a week before heading to Belfast, Ireland on July 4 for a training camp and then Glasgow for the Games which run from July 23 – August 2.
He will be competing in the 65kg division, and his selection comes on the back of a hectic qualifying schedule which has included trips to Australia, and then the World Cup in Brazil where he reached the quarterfinals.
In its profile of Campbell, the Olympic Committee says he has been a consistent performer within the New Zealand system, holding national titles across multiple years and establishing himself as a leading athlete in his weight class.
He is a 2023 Oceania gold medallist and 2024-2025 national youth champion, with additional success at international tournaments.
Campbell progressed into the New Zealand Elite Team through a box-off victory over the national elite champion, reflecting his ability to perform against top domestic competition.
He has continued to build international experience through performances at the World Boxing Cup and King of the Ring, excelling against high-level opposition which included a win over Krgystan’s Omar Livaza last month.
He backed that up this month by winning the North Island Golden Gloves to go with his win at the 2025 New Zealand National Amateur Championships.
Connor Cambell is announced as a member of the New Zealand boxing team headed for the Commonwealth Games. Photo: Supplied
Campbell attributes his success to the support he has received since he was a child in the sport, from his Mum, Dad and ‘Poppa’ who have supported him financially. His father and grandfather will accompany him to the games, where he will be under the guidance of the New Zealand team coaches.
Connor has been training at Nuki’s Boxing Gym with his coach Powell Marshall since he was 9.
He said the support of Nuki’s Boxing gym and Powell had been instrumental in getting him to this point.
“I couldn’t have done it without everyone to be honest.”
Powell said they had a lot of boxers to support but had made sure Connor got his shot at the Commonwealth Games by fundraising for his trips overseas this year.
He says part of Connor’s success comes down to the fact he has always had to fight boxers older than himself through the age groups.
Age groups are determined by which year you are born in, and he was born in December.
"The person that has their birthday in January gets to box as a youth all year, but Connor (got) 11 days where he can box as an 18-year-old youth, then straight away he's up to elites,” Powell said earlier this year.