Matamata boxer Sonny Morini is no longer heading to Australia to compete for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific welterweight title.

Morini, 20, was supposed to take on Australian boxer Jason Fawcett, 25, on Wednesday, but the fight was cancelled.

As reported last week, the fight was in jeopardy after Fawcett pulled out with a broken jaw, leaving promoters scrambling to find a last-minute opponent.

With less than a week’s notice, no one could take on the opportunity and the fight was cancelled.

Earlier, Morini said the fight against Fawcett would be the biggest of his career, with a win giving him a potential pathway to international rankings and taking on tougher opponents.

The IBF Pan Pacific Welterweight title has been held by many New Zealand boxers before, including Te Awamutu-born boxer Floyd Masson in the cruiserweight division in 2025.

The only New Zealander who previously held the IBF Pan Pacific welterweight title that Morini was competing for was Sean Sullivan in 1998.

Despite the setback, Morini is scheduled for more competition this year.

Manager and trainer Issac Peach said he will fight “two more times” this year, with his next fight scheduled for October in Auckland.

The fight will be for the vacant WBA Oceania welterweight title against an international opponent on a Peach Boxing show.

Joseph Parker was the first New Zealand boxer to win the WBA Oceania title, and Wellington’s Gentiane Lupi was the first female to claim the title.

In the past year, the WBA Oceania title has either been won or defended successfully by four New Zealand boxers, including Waikato’s Francis Waitai, Mea Motu, Emma Nesbitt and Saskia Elliott.

Sonny Morini will fight for the title on October 30.

In December, he heads to a fight in Australia, although details have not been revealed yet.

Morini made his pro debut in 2024 and has an undefeated record of 14 wins, with 12 by way of knockout.

He holds two titles, the New Zealand national (PBCNZ version) welterweight title and Pacific (PBCNZ version) welterweight title, and has fought abroad already, including in Thailand and Fiji.

Morini last fought in July, when he took on Fijian Jese Ravudi.

In other news, Oliver Firth lost his fight against Max Reeves by eighth-round stoppage.

Firth was a potential fight for Francis Waitai next in December, however, the Waitai team was not interested unless Firth proved himself.

Since Firth lost, BX-9 promoter Oz Jabur will need to look for another opponent for Waitai for his December show.

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.