Coming off a win in March against Christchurch’s Jack Dickson, Waikato boxer Emile Richardson has been booked for one of the biggest domestic fights of the year.

Richardson will take on the current New Zealand national (Pro Box NZ version) middleweight champion Nicholas Benn, of Tauranga, on the next BX-9 show on May 2 in Auckland.

Richardson has had some really good fights since his pro debut, with a win over kickboxer Hayden Todd in November, a win over Ioane Auvaa in December and, most recently, against Dickson, which was Richardson’s first stoppage win.

Richardson and Benn have similar experiences as they both come from an amateur boxing background and have fought similar opponents.

It is a risky fight for both boxers, as Benn has knockout power, while Richardson has been more active recently and has a longer amateur career.

Benn made his professional debut in 2023.

Since then, all of his four wins have come by way of knockout.

His most significant wins were against Indian boxer Dilbagh Singh and for the New Zealand title against Marcus Heywood.

Benn took a year off between 2024 and returned to the ring in December 2025, where he suffered his first loss – against Australian Benjamin Hussain.

Benn is trained by Tauranga’s Chris Walker, who has worked with many now-retired greats, including former top 10 world-ranked boxer Gunnar Jackson, retired WBU World Super Lightweight champion Anthony Taylor and former New Zealand champion Jonathan Taylor.

Aside from the Richardson v Benn fight, BX-9 also confirmed other bouts.

Hamilton boxer Sheilla Yama will take on Chinese fighter Haini Mulataiaili for the vacant IBF International Super Lightweight title in what will be the main fight of the night.

BX-9 also confirmed six boxers for the BX-9 Welterweight Tournament.

They are South Sudan-born Australian resident Alex Lual, Auckland’s Leon Budgen, Hamilton’s Hamza Perwaisy, Napier’s Paul Tonga, South Island’s Dane Edge and Papua New Guinea’s John Ume.

Two spots are still up for contention.

Other fights confirmed on the card are Niuean boxer Duken Tutakitoa-Williams taking on Northland’s Remus Leaf, and the long-awaited debut of Mia Evans, taking on Papua New Guinea’s Goli Bali.

BX-9 will take place on May 2, at Auckland’s Eventfinda Stadium. Tickets will be on sale via Eventfinda.

The event will also be streamed on PPV with CSN.Watch.

Sheilla Yama won against Nailini Helu recently. She is now preparing to take on Chinese boxer Haini Mulataiaili. Photo / CSN.Watch

Current fight card

Main Event

10x2 min rounds

Sheilla Yama (Papua New Guinea/New Zealand) v Haini Mulataiaili (China) for the vacant IBF International Super Lightweight title.

Super Middleweight

8x3 min rounds

Nicholas Benn (Tauranga) v Emile Richardson (Hamilton/Bulls).

Cruiserweight

4x3 min rounds

Duken Tutakitoa-Williams (Niue/New Zealand) v Remus Leaf (New Zealand).

Super Flyweight

4x2 min rounds

Mia Evans (New Zealand) v Goli Bali (Papua New Guinea).

Hybrid/Semi-Pro fight

Super Middleweight 3x3 min rounds

Mohammed Al-Harbi vs Corin Braddick.

BX-9 Welterweight Tournament Championship Quarter Finals

Hamza Perwaisy (Hamilton, New Zealand)

Leon Budgen (Auckland, New Zealand)

Paul Tonga (Napier, New Zealand)

Alex Lual (South Sudan/Australia)

John Ume (Papua New Guinea)

Dane Edge (New Zealand)

Benjamin Watt is a retired boxing judge and New Zealand boxing writer with a decade of experience. Watt has also been BoxRec’s New Zealand record-keeper since 2014.