At just 21 years old, Ngāti Kahu and Te Rarawa boxer Emma “Little Miss” Nesbitt is one victory away from earning the biggest opportunity of her career as she prepares to step into the ring for a WBA World Title Eliminator in Auckland.
The rising professional boxer will face Japan’s Madoka Wada in a high-stakes bout that could secure her a shot at the World Boxing Association title and cement her place among the sport’s elite.
Speaking to Radio Waatea, Nesbitt said the fight represents years of dedication, sacrifice and hard work, as she looks to become one of the latest Māori athletes to make their mark on the international boxing stage.
Biggest Fight of Her Career
A world title eliminator is one of the most important contests in professional boxing.
Victory would place Nesbitt in line for a mandatory challenge for the WBA world championship, bringing her within touching distance of becoming a world champion at an age when many fighters are only beginning their professional careers.
Her opponent, Madoka Wada, brings international experience and is expected to provide one of the toughest tests of Nesbitt’s career.
The contest is expected to attract significant attention from boxing fans across New Zealand and overseas, with both fighters looking to take the next step towards a world championship.
Flying the Flag for Te Tai Tokerau
For Nesbitt, the fight is about more than personal success.
As a proud descendant of Ngāti Kahu and Te Rarawa, she says representing her iwi and Te Tai Tokerau provides additional motivation every time she enters the ring.
Māori have produced some of New Zealand’s most respected boxers, with athletes continuing to build a proud legacy on both the amateur and professional circuits.
Nesbitt is part of a new generation seeking to inspire rangatahi by showing what can be achieved through discipline, resilience and belief.
Women’s Boxing Continues to Rise
Women’s boxing has experienced rapid growth internationally over the past decade, with increased television coverage, larger purses and greater recognition for female athletes helping transform the sport.
New Zealand has also emerged as a strong contributor to that success, producing internationally recognised fighters who have demonstrated that Kiwi women can compete with the very best in the world.
Nesbitt’s world title eliminator is another sign of the growing depth of women’s boxing in Aotearoa and the increasing opportunities available to young athletes.
Years of Preparation
Reaching this stage has required years of intensive training and competition.
Professional boxing demands not only physical conditioning but also technical precision, tactical preparation and mental resilience.
Every contest brings the risk that a single mistake can determine the outcome, making preparation as important as performance on fight night.
For a young fighter, the opportunity to contest a world title eliminator represents recognition of consistent performances and growing standing within international rankings.
Inspiration for Rangatahi
Nesbitt’s journey is also likely to resonate beyond boxing.
Māori athletes continue to excel across combat sports, rugby, league, athletics and other international competitions, providing powerful role models for young people pursuing their own sporting ambitions.
Her rise demonstrates that athletes from regional communities can compete on the world stage through commitment, perseverance and strong support from whānau and their communities.
As fight night approaches, Nesbitt knows victory would open the door to the biggest opportunity of her career—a chance to compete for a world title and further strengthen Māori representation in international boxing.
For “Little Miss”, the next step is clear: one fight, one opportunity and a chance to move from rising prospect to world title contender.
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