Boxing New Zealand Rocked by Allegations as Athletes Boycott Commonwealth Games Amidst Investigation
New Zealand’s boxing program is in crisis as multiple athletes withdraw from contention for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, fueled by a protracted investigation into allegations of misconduct against Boxing New Zealand and its head coach, Billy Meehan. The situation has ignited a firestorm of frustration among athletes who feel unsupported and fear a toxic environment is jeopardizing their careers.
A Legacy Tarnished: From Historic Win to Heartbreak
At just 19 years old, Tasmyn Benny etched her name in New Zealand sporting history in 2018, becoming the first female boxer to win a Commonwealth Games medal. However, five years later, Benny walked away from the sport she loved, citing a deeply felt sense of betrayal. “I feel let down,” she stated. “I should not have been treated like this. Especially with everything that happened with the cycling,” referencing the establishment of the Sport Integrity Commission following the tragic death of Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore. “There should be better pathways and more support for other athletes.”
The establishment of the Sport Integrity Commission in the wake of Podmore’s death was intended to create safer sporting environments, but Benny believes the system has failed to protect athletes. During an Olympic qualifying tournament in the Solomon Islands in 2023, Benny and a teammate were reportedly left in tears after a heated disagreement regarding pre-fight preparations. According to Benny, National Coach Billy Meehan allegedly yelled at them moments before their crucial bouts.
“We were both crying before our fight because we were upset. I was like, ‘what the hell have I got myself into? This is not how I’m going to win’,” Benny recounted. She subsequently lost her fight, and New Zealand failed to qualify any boxers for the 2024 Olympic Games. “I felt defeated before I got in the ring.”
Mounting Complaints and a Stalled Investigation
At least four athletes have reportedly filed complaints with the Sport Integrity Commission regarding Billy Meehan’s conduct, with coaches and referees also being interviewed as part of the investigation. The complaints, as understood by 1News, include allegations of Meehan being intoxicated during trips, making inappropriate comments, bullying, and displaying favoritism.
The Sport Integrity Commission, established in 2024 under the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act 2023, is tasked with ensuring New Zealand’s sporting environments are “safe, fair and inclusive.” The Commission launched an official investigation into Boxing New Zealand in May of last year, yet Meehan has remained in his position as head coach throughout the process.
This lack of progress has prompted athletes and coaches to speak out, fearing the ongoing situation will further damage New Zealand’s chances at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Emma Nesbitt, New Zealand’s top light flyweight, has withdrawn from contention, with her coach, Isaac Peach, writing to the Commission that her aspirations for the Games have been extinguished – not due to performance, but due to concerns surrounding the coach in charge.
A Culture of Fear and Favoritism
Tasmyn Benny alleges that Meehan targeted athletes he disliked, creating a hostile environment. “To make himself feel better, he likes to put others down and I think he did it with all of us fighters,” she said. Fellow Commonwealth Games boxer Emile Richardson echoes this sentiment, stating he left Meehan’s gym in 2019 to train with another coach, but still faced working under Meehan in his role as National Coach.
“It was like he didn’t want me to succeed,” Richardson explained. “He’d have a real blunt attitude towards me, kind of like undermine me in ways.” Despite being the top-ranked boxer in his weight division, Richardson was unexpectedly dropped from the 2022 Commonwealth Games selection team, a decision he successfully appealed to the New Zealand Olympic Committee. However, a similar scenario unfolded during Olympic qualification, with Richardson being overlooked in favor of a fighter he had defeated four times.
“I feel robbed. Beyond disappointed,” Richardson said, adding that the stress of navigating the selection process led him to forgo another appeal. “It’s just so stressful. You don’t want to go through it again. We fought for a bit and that’s why then we ended up going through the Sport Integrity Commission.”
Calls for Accountability and Change
The Sport Integrity Commission has remained tight-lipped regarding the specifics of the investigation, issuing a statement that it “takes every complaint seriously” and is committed to a “fair and thorough” process, acknowledging that timeframes vary depending on the complexity of each case. Both Boxing New Zealand and Billy Meehan have declined to comment while the investigation is ongoing.
Eleven coaches have reportedly spoken anonymously to 1News, expressing widespread concerns about the current state of Boxing New Zealand. “There’s a great deal of fear,” one coach stated. “And it’s not fear for the coaches themselves… what bothers them the most is that if you do speak out, their boxers sometimes suffer as far as selection goes.” Another coach expressed fear that speaking out would lead to “mistreatment” of their athletes, alleging a pattern of punishing athletes whose coaches are critical of the organization.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the leadership structure of Boxing New Zealand, with Billy Meehan’s wife, Cathy Meehan, serving as the organization’s president. This arrangement, critics argue, creates a conflict of interest and limits avenues for raising concerns. “They have created a dictatorship to serve personal egos instead of developing a culture and environment that can consistently achieve international success,” one coach asserted. “They have created a culture that’s destroyed many dreams.”
Richardson, now disillusioned with the sport, feels his own ambitions have been shattered. “I would love to pursue this year’s Commonwealth Games and the next Olympics and stuff, but yeah, after what I’ve dealt with, it’s not worth it. Which is a shame, big shame,” he said.
While Benny and Richardson remain hopeful that the Sport Integrity Commission will bring about meaningful change within Boxing New Zealand, they are increasingly skeptical given the lack of progress. Benny, a mother of one, explained her decision to speak out, stating, “I don’t want to do this just for me. I’m doing this for other young girls that are going to be in the team or other young boxers. I don’t want this to ever happen again.” Both Benny and Richardson are now considering professional boxing careers, but their dreams of representing New Zealand on the international stage have been significantly diminished.
