Patrick Mailata (Magic) boxer

Patrick Pakuliki Mailata (/mʌɪˈlɑːˈtɑː/; born 31 December 1994) is a Samoan born, New Zealand raised professional boxer. As an amateur, he won three New Zealand national elite championships from 2012 to 2014 and a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.Patrick Pakuliki Mailata was born on 31 December 1994 in Apia, a son of Fuatino Letu'u and Tauleave Lekuala Auapa'au Mailata. Growing up, Mailata was raised in the Samoan villages of Avao and A'ufaga before migrating to New Zealand along with his parents when he was only eight years old. He lived in the South Auckland area, and was educated at Papakura High School, where he was head boy. Mailata excelled in rugby league, but suffered a knee injury that forced him to stop competing. He then discovered boxing and passed up offers from National Rugby League clubs to focus on the sport.Mailata participated at the Papatoetoe Boxing Club of Grant Arkell, and fought fellow countryman Joseph Parker twice at the start of his amateur career. At an early age he became a three-time New Zealand amateur heavyweight champion in 2012, 2013, and 2014, as well as winning several amateur tournaments. Mailata competed throughout Auckland and fought at the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships at Armenia in 2012 but was disqualified for putting his head lower than his Cuban opponent's belt.At 18-years-of-age Mailata competed in Guiyang at the China Open boxing event. He was awarded a bronze medal after losing to local Chinese fighter Yusufu Akepaer in the semi-final. After winning national tournaments, Mailata received financial backing from a promotional company, Duco Events. It saw him contest in international competitions such as the Gee Bee Tournament in Finland and the 52nd Winner Tournament in Serbia where he respectively won a bronze and gold medal. He also became a participant at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The following year, Mailata suffered a loss to Australian Joe Goodall in the Oceanian Championships super-heavyweight gold medal final. His second placed finish saw him as one of four New Zealanders that qualified for the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Qatar. He lost his first round matchup against Rafael Lima of Brazil.