West Auckland sisters boxing their way to success

Two sisters from West Auckland are conquering the world of boxing with the help of their mum.

Sisters Maria Motu-Gemmell, 26, and Sally Motu, 17, have won a World Championship and two National Championships between them.

The pair followed their mother, Aloma Browne, into boxing after she took up training in the sport 15 years ago.

Her eldest daughter, Mrs Motu-Gemmell, started boxing competitively at 12 years old, while her youngest daughter Ms Motu joined her sister 14 years later, and the pair are now managed by their mum.

In March this year, Ms Motu, who is the youngest of four children, won her first international fight.

“It was really challenging and I was nervous, but I pushed through my boundaries and gave my 100 per cent,” said Ms Motu.

The bar for her hard work had been set in part by her big sister. “I aspire to be like my sister, I aspire to be like my coach and Mike Tyson,” said Ms Motu.

Her opponent in the fight, Tiki Fraser, an indigenous fighter from Queensland, holds the Junior Woman 66kg Queensland Championship, Australian Golden Gloves Championship, and Australia Junior Championship titles.

However, she was impressed by Ms Motu’s performance during the fight.

“Sally is a great fighter and probably one of the most hardest hitters I’ve fought so far. She boxed really well. I learnt a lot from it and hopefully in the future I’ll get to box her again,” said Ms Fraser.

Ms Motu has only boxed for 18 months, but in October 2015 she won her first title as the 66kg Junior Woman New Zealand Championship. She will be defending her title this July at the National Championships in Rotorua.

Meanwhile, Ms Motu’s older sister holds a Ringside Bowl World Championship [RBWC], New Zealand National Championship [NZNC], and Golden Glove titles in the 53kg women’s welterweight division.

She returned to the ring last year after a seven-year break, and is proud of her younger sister’s achievements.

“I came back last year. I brought my sister along and now she is addicted, she has become a fighter and she’s good,” said Mrs Motu-Gemmell.

The sisters have several bouts lined up for 2016, and their team Million Dollar Babies will also travel to the United States to compete at the 16th RBWC with their coach, Daniella “Diamond” Smith.

The sisters hope the build-up fights will contribute to being able to compete together at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.