NEON Boxing Academy has continued its impressive run with two of its standout Elite athletes claiming championship wins at the prestigious King & Queen of the Ring tournament in Sydney (April 9-12).
The highly regarded event attracts elite competitors from across Australia and overseas, making it one of the toughest and most respected tournaments on the amateur boxing calendar.
Representing Neon Boxing Academy, Kipa “Tha Ripa” Keremete and Zahara “The Mad Cinderella” Lane both delivered dominant performances across their divisions, returning home as champions and proudly wearing their King & Queen championship rings.
Kipa entered the tournament for his first bout since November and once again proved he is a dominant force in the ring.
In the quarter final, Kipa began by finding his rhythm, controlling the bout with composure and ring awareness.
While not forcing the pace too early, he dictated the exchanges and secured a comfortable win.
Shifting gears in the semi-final, Kipa came out strong, increasing his punch output and working the body relentlessly.
His signature left rip to the liver; hence the name “Tha Ripa” was on full display, breaking down his opponent and earning a convincing victory.
In the final, Kipa delivered a masterclass performance.
With impeccable footwork and elite ring IQ, he controlled the fight from start to finish.
His defence proved impenetrable, while his offence was sharp, calculated and perfectly timed securing the win in dominant Kipa fashion.
With this performance, Kipa was crowned 2026 King of the Ring (75kg division) having previously claimed the title for the 70kg division, further cementing his reputation as one of Australia’s most dangerous and composed amateur boxers.
Zahara also rose to the occasion, showcasing her unwavering skill, adaptability and composure across the tournament.
Facing an awkward, forward-pressing southpaw in the semi-final, Zahara remained composed under pressure.
Using her jab and sharp angle work, she controlled distance and picked her shots effectively, landing powerful rear hands to secure the win.
In the final, Zahara further elevated her performance.
She attacked with purpose, using her jab to set up angles and combinations.
In fast-paced exchanges, she took control by throwing punches in bunches, overwhelming her opponent and earning a unanimous decision victory.
Her performance secured her the title of 2026 Queen of the Ring (65kg division), marking another major milestone in her development as an elite competitor.
With both athletes returning home as champions, Neon Boxing Academy continues to build momentum nationally, producing fighters capable of performing under pressure and excelling on some of the country’s biggest amateur stages.
