The North Island Golden Gloves is set to have one of its busiest tournaments ever this weekend, as almost 300 competitors are ready to step into the ring.

Boxers will compete in ovice (fewer than 10 fights of experience) and open (more than 10 fights) across elite, junior, cadet and youth divisions.

It gives boxers from different backgrounds, experiences and locations an opportunity to fight in a large tournament, without having to go through a qualifying process.

Competitors will represent their gym, instead of their region or local amateur body.

In Waikato, 38 boxers from nine gyms are competing.

For some boxers, such as Greer Hall, Saskia Elliott, Alex Mukuka, Connor Campbell and Mezmorize Anderson, it is an opportunity to stay fit ahead of the Commonwealth Games selection announcement.

For others, it is preparation for the New Zealand national amateur championships, which will take place in Whanganui from September 29 to October 4.

The Golden Gloves competition started in Chicago in the 1920s.

The tournament was brought to New Zealand by boxing coach Nuki Johnson, of Taupō, who died in 2005.

The first North Island Golden Gloves was held in 1984 at the Wairakei Village Hall in Taupō.

It took place in Taupō for a long time, though in the past few years it was held in Tauranga.

This year’s tournament will be held at Tauranga Girls College’s gymnasium from May 30 to June 1. Tickets are available at the door.

Full list of Waikato competitors

Team George Boxing - Hit Fitness HQ

Greer Hall - Elite (Open)

Cooper Palmer - Elite (Novice)

Te Ariki Haimona - Junior (Novice)

Tyrel Max - Cadet (Open)

Cruso Ford - Youth (Open)

Ōtorohanga Boxing Club

Gower Robertson - Elite (Novice)

WulfPack Boxing (Cambridge)

Macy Smith - Elite (Novice)

Lisa Jamieson - Elite (Novice)

Ericka Stark - Elite (Novice)

Samara Watkins - Youth (Novice)

Oliver Miers - Cadet (Novice)

Lincoln Cornelius - Cadet (Novice)

Ace Fighters Academy (Putāruru)

Saskia Elliott - Elite (Open)

Anthony Cooney - Cadet (Novice)

Nikil Dewage - Elite (Novice)

Walton Boxing Club

Alex Mukuka - Elite (Open)

Ringside/Fightfit (Hamilton)

Tyson Peterson - Elite (Open)

Troy Colby - Junior (Open)

Shay Crawshaw - Youth (Novice)

Lucas Crawshaw - Youth (Novice)

Te Awamutu Boxing Academy

Lyrical Algra - Elite (Open)

Nabby’s Boxing Gym (Hamilton)

Aldo Monti - Elite (Novice)

Elijah Lasi - Elite (Novice)

Bismillah Ali Madad - Youth (Open)

Koby Williams - Junior (Novice)

Tangaroa Holman-Lee - Junior (Open)

Zen Parker - Junior (Open)

Boston Kerapa - Junior (Novice)

Asma Nabizadeh - Junior (Open)

Riley Philburn - Junior (Novice)

Tahlia-Leigh (Tinta) Smith - Elite (Open)

Lennon Staples Bevins Cadet (Novice)

Nukis Taupo Boxing Gym

Connor Campbell - Elite (Open)

Te Taurahere Peters Brown - Youth (Open)

Mezmorize Anderson - Elite (Open)

Allan Wheeler - Junior (Open)

Boston Samuels - Junior (Open)

Aarliyah Smith - Cadet (Novice)