Beau O’Brien has vacated his New Zealand Professional Boxing Association Middleweight title, to focus in the Super Welterweight division.
The 27 year old Napier New Zealand boxer, made his return in early 2018 after a four year hiatus. He believed he had some unfinished business in his boxing career. He made his rusty return against a tough amateur boxer Shiva Mishra. Despite the difficult challenge, he won the bout by split decision.
A few months later, Beau O’brien took on an undefeated boxer in Fiji Siliveni Nawai for the WBF Australasian title. This was Beau first fight overseas since his first lose in China against Kuok Kun Ng back in 2014. Beau originally started off slow against the undefeated fijian, however after a couple round, Beau showed his boxing skill. Beau defeated Siliveni Nawai by TKO in the 5th.
In October 2018, Beau took on for WBO 10th ranked boxer Gunnar Jackson for the NZPBA & UBF Asia Pacific Middleweight titles. Beau was originally supposed to take on Harley Love, however due to a massive backlash for the public and Harley getting knocked out a couple months before, the promoter had no choice but to look for another opponent. This was a tough fight for Beau, not just because of Gunnar Jackson experience and ability, but also due to the huge amount of respect he had for Gunnar.
The fight went the full 10 rounds and it was a close fight ending in a Majority Decision. Gunnar Jackson did well at the beginning of each round, however Beau endurance got the better of Gunnar, especially in the last minute of each round. Beau O’brien won the fight, winning his 4th and 5th pro title of his career.
Today Beau O’Brien vacate his title to go back down to the Super Welterweight division. Beau has held the NZPBA and GBF Oceania Super Welterweight titles in the passed back in 2013 and 2014. Beau O’Brien aim now is to take on the person who drew with Gunnar Jackson, Shay Brock, The person who defeated Gunnar Jackson twice, Bowyn Morgan, and a rematch with the person who defeated Beau, Kuok Kun Ng. The good news is Beau O’Brien is also currently ranked 12th in the WBO Asia Pacific Rankings.
On a side note, it is believed that Gunnar Jackson was hoping for a rematch with Beau. It is also widely known that Andrei Mikhailovich and his team been trying to set up a fight with Beau, however Beau team were not interested.
