Maea aiming for big future in boxing (+ video)

Boxing has been contested at every Summer Olympic Games since 1904, except for 1912 in Stockholm, because Swedish law banned the sport at the time.

However it was only at the 2012 London Olympics that women's boxing was first introduced as part of the boxing programme.

At the time Maea Hay was an incredibly shy 8-year-old who had never thought about stepping into the ring.

But skip forward four years and Maea, 12, is full of confidence and aiming for a big future in the sport after recently winning a title at the 2016 New Zealand Boxing Championships held in Rotorua.

The talented youngster, who is trained by Rex Jenkins, took home the under-14 female cadet 48kg gold medal after beating Gisborne's Mya Kahukoti 3-0 in the round score.

Maea trained twice a day for six months leading up to the fight and said her right-left jab combination was key to success in the ring.

"I put in a lot of hard work and I felt very confident before the contest," she said.

"It felt like the biggest fight I've been in so far and I was very sharp on the day.

"Mya is a good boxer but I went for a lot of head shots and tried to catch her off guard.

"My left jab is my strongest shot and when I put that into my left-right move it really paid off with the hits."

Maea, who is a pupil at Rotorua Intermediate School, has now won 13 out of her 15 fights and father Hamish Hay said it was his daughter's best performance to date.

"It was a very clean and scientific fight shot wise," he said.

"Maea's technique and shot selection were just too good for her opponent."

BEST SHOT: Maea Hay is one to watch for the future. PHOTO/ BEN FRASER

Maea, one of 11 children, starting boxing 20 months ago to help boost her confidence and is also coached by Geoff Carter and Thamos Rangiawha.

"I was just always very shy and I didn't feel confident at all. But this sport has really helped me.

"As soon as I put on the gloves I loved it. And I really look forward to training no matter how hard it is."

The fifth eldest sibling said she was "excited" to watch the boxing at the Rio Games and admires New Zealand boxer Alexis Pritchard, who won't be competing at Rio but became the first New Zealand woman to win an Olympic bout when she beat Tunisia's Rim Jouini at the 2012 London Olympics.

"I love watching all sorts of sports but I can't wait to see the boxing in Rio," Maea said.

"Alexis is a real inspiration because of what she has achieved - it would be great to achieve a level of boxing she has."

In the future Maea aspires to star in an Olympics as it has always been a "dream".

"I've always wanted to be at the Olympics one day," she said.

"It's the highest level you can reach as an amateur boxer and I'm dedicated to make it happen.

"I want to be the best I can be at this sport.

"It will be a tough long journey to get there but I will make it happen."