Thai-based New Zealander Nort Beauchamp (19-7-1, 3 KO) faces a formidable challenge as he prepares to square off against Australia’s Jackson Jon England (16-3, 8 KO) on September 14, 2024, at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand.
The clash will take place on the undercard of the main event between New Zealand’s undefeated David Nyika (9-0, 8 KO) and seasoned American Tommy Karpency (31-8-1, 19 KO). Karpency stepped in on short notice after Blake Caparello (32-4-1, 13 KO) failed a drug test.
This matchup promises to be intriguing, as Jackson Jon England enters the fight fresh off a major victory over former WBO super featherweight champion Jamel Herring (24-5, 12 KO). Meanwhile, Nort Beauchamp, a seasoned veteran of the sport, was in Thailand preparing his 19-year-old son for his professional debut when the call came to face England.
Born in Korat, in the northeastern part of Thailand, Beauchamp immigrated to New Zealand at a young age. He credits his Thai roots and upbringing for shaping his resilience and dedication to the sport. Over the years, Beauchamp has established himself as a true road warrior in boxing, testing himself against top-tier opposition and never backing down from a challenge.
In Beauchamp’s most recent bout, he faced rising Australian prospect Youssef Dib (21-2, 11 KO), suffering a fourth-round TKO loss. Following the defeat, the 38-year-old southpaw decided to retire and shift his focus to guiding his son’s burgeoning pro career. Throughout his career, Beauchamp has tested himself against some of the top fighters, including bouts with Brock Jarvis (18-1, 19 KO) and Sam Goodman (19-0, 8 KO). One of his career highlights was defeating Joel Brunker (34-4, 20 KO).
I sat down with Nort Beauchamp, the seasoned southpaw, during his training camp in Thailand to discuss his unexpected return to the ring, what’s motivating him, and his plans for the future.
You’ve had a storied career with several high-profile bouts. What prompted your decision to come out of retirement, and why now?
“Retirement gave me a good time to reflect, review, and refresh. I feel the stars aligned for this one. The drive is still there, my body is refreshed, and the huge opportunity to fight a world-class opponent in my own country of New Zealand, live on DAZN, gives me the perfect opportunity to make a statement. We’re in tremendous shape and ready for a winning performance.”
How do you feel your legacy in New Zealand boxing has evolved, and what do you hope to achieve with this return?
“I started boxing late at 22. I feel I’ve exceeded expectations, winning multiple amateur and professional titles. I expect to exceed expectations once again and cause a huge upset on September 14th.”
Looking back at your career, what do you consider your most defining moment in the ring?
“Winning three titles in Australia, including defeating Joel Brunker, who was ranked seventh in the world (WBA) at the time.”
How does that moment influence your approach to this comeback?
“Being in big fights and facing top opposition, I’m no stranger to the big stage. Having that experience is a huge positive influence. Knowing I’m a proven champion and approaching this fight with a winning mentality is key to victory.”
How has your training regimen changed since retirement? Have you had to adapt your preparation for the time away from the ring?
“Training has been great. I’ve mostly been working out at Elite Fight Club in Bangkok. I’ve doubled down on my strength and conditioning, and immersing myself in a new environment with professional fighters on the same mission has been refreshing. We couldn’t be happier with how this camp is going.”
Boxing has evolved since you last fought. What changes have you observed in the sport, particularly in the New Zealand boxing scene?
“Boxing in New Zealand has reached new heights—from Joseph Parker winning the world heavyweight championship to our rising star David Nyika, who’s on his way to becoming a champion. We have world-class talent in New Zealand, and now we have the infrastructure to build even more champions. I believe New Zealand will be a powerhouse in the world of boxing.”
Jackson Jon England is a rising star. What do you see as his strengths and weaknesses, and how do you plan to counter them?
“He’s a talented fighter. His strength is that he comes to fight and lets his punches go, but that’s also his weakness. We’re prepared, and we’ll meet him in the center of the ring and attack him in the areas that have seen him lose three times before. I can’t give too much away, but expect action early.”
With so many young fighters making their mark, how do you see your role as a veteran in this fight?
“I’m excited about the new wave of fighters and glad to be training alongside them. There are definite advantages to being a veteran, like experience and boxing IQ, and I plan to use those to my advantage in this fight.”
Do you feel a sense of responsibility to demonstrate the old-school approach?
“Yes, I take an old-school approach to my training. Hard work on repeat, no shortcuts, no miracles. In this fight, I’ve added some new elements, and I can’t wait to display them.”
What lessons have you learned from your time away from boxing, and how do you plan to apply those lessons in this comeback?
“Having time to get back into my training routine has allowed me to adjust and maximize my performance. We know how to win this fight, and we’ve trained to deliver that winning performance.”
Every fighter has a unique story. What part of your story do you feel has been overlooked, and how would you like people to remember Nort Beauchamp?
“Probably the fact that I started late and still achieved success, which is rare in my weight division. I want to be remembered as a real fighter—someone who fought anyone, anytime, anywhere, at any weight.”
Is this fight a one-off return, or do you see yourself continuing to fight beyond this bout?
“I never look past the opponent in front of me. After the fight, we’ll do a proper analysis and make the right decision.”
What factors will influence that decision? After this fight, win or lose, what’s next for Nort Beauchamp?
“One thing’s for sure—I’ll still be involved in boxing, whether it’s fighting or helping guide the next generation. Boxing is in my blood, and the gym is my sanctuary.”
Are there any specific goals or aspirations you still want to achieve inside or outside the ring?
“I’m blessed to have already built my gym, businesses, and real estate ventures. But even though I’m still fighting, I know my value in boxing lies within my community. I’ll make sure to give back to the future generations what boxing has given me—times 100.”
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