Boxing: Kiwi Lupi ends Nurshahidah's unbeaten streak

New Zealand's Gentiane Lupi (right) defeated home hope Nurshahidah Roslie via a technical knockout in the fifth round of their 10-round title bout. The Kiwi later praised the Singaporean because "she stood firm and was always aggressive and ready to
New Zealand's Gentiane Lupi (right) defeated home hope Nurshahidah Roslie via a technical knockout in the fifth round of their 10-round title bout. The Kiwi later praised the Singaporean because "she stood firm and was always aggressive and ready to throw the punches". ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG

Nurshahidah Roslie, Singapore's first professional female boxer, saw her perfect 4-0 record come to a tearful end last night at Singapore Fighting Championship 4.

Watched by an energetic and raucous crowd of about 600 who packed the ringside at the Singapore Foochow Association, the 29-year-old lost to Gentiane Lupi of New Zealand via a technical knock-out.

The contest ended 46 seconds into the fifth round of the 10-round World Boxing Association Oceania Female super-featherweight title bout.

The Singaporean was in tears after the bout ended. After she exited the ring, her supporters hugged her.

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But she appeared to be in a daze and almost collapsed. She had to be attended by medical staff, eventually being wheeled out of the venue, but not before composing herself and smiling at those around her.

Lupi, who hails from Wellington, gave credit to her vanquished opponent, saying: "I know how Shah feels. It's horrible to lose at home and I've been through that before.

"But I like her style, she stayed forward while other fighters would be running away, she stood firm and was always aggressive and ready to throw the punches."

Her training partner at Juggernaut Fight Club, Tiffany Teo, who was part of her entourage at ringside, added: "It's really painful to see her lose because I know how hard she's been training."

Teo herself had been in action the night before, winning her bout at mixed martial arts outfit One Championship's Defending Honour event.

Nurshahidah's coach Arvind Lalwani was not too worried about the loss.

Lalwani, who also organised the event, said: "It was a test for her, and we know that to be a world champion is not that simple. I'm confident that she will come back stronger."

Alvin Chia

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on November 13, 2016, with the headline Boxing: Kiwi Lupi ends Nurshahidah's unbeaten streak. Subscribe