Lance Bryant (born 1 November 1980 Masterton, New Zealand) is a retired professional boxer from Pahiatua.
Bryant is mostly known for competing in three of the four Super 8 Boxing Tournament. He reached his peak ranking position in 2018 when he was ranked 50th on Boxrec. In his professional career he has won six professional titles, including being a Two time New Zealand Cruiserweight champion.
Amateur boxing career
Bryant had a successful amateur career, winning multiple titles. In 2006, Bryant retired from boxing.
Professional boxing career
Debut and Super 8 Boxing Tournament 2014 - 2015
Bryant made his professional boxing debut in 2014 after initially retiring in 2006. Bryant took on Thomas Heads in back to back fights. Bryant won the first fight by Knockout and the second fight by decision. In November 2014, Bryant took part in the second Super Professional eight man boxing tournament, called the Super 8 at the North Shore Events Centre. To prepare for the fight, Bryant trained alongside Shane Cameron with trainer Henry Schuster. The tournament included future UFC World Champion Israel Adesanya, Daniel Ammann, James Emerson, Monty Filimaea, Brad Pitt and Vaitele Soi. Bryant took on Samoan Soi in the quarter finals, losing the fight by a controversial Split Decision. Bryant returned to the ring in 2015 to take part in the third edition of the Super 8 Tournament in Christchurch, New Zealand. In the quarter finals, Bryant took on Ghana born Fiji resident boxer Joseph Kwadjo. Bryant won the fight by unanimous decision moving onto the semi-finals. Byrant too on Israel Adesanya in the semi-finals, however, Adesanya won the fight by Majority decision, ending Bryant second tournament. In November 2015, Bryant took part in the final edition of the Super 8 Tournaments, but this time this was a four-man professional tournament. Bryant hopes to defeat Adesanya who beat Bryant in the last tournament who went on to win the entire competition. Bryant won the semi-finals against New Zealand Born Australian Jamie Porter but lost against Adesanya in the Finals. On the same night, Monty Betham Won the New Zealand title. Bryant called out Betham in hopes for a New Zealand title shot. Unfortunately the fight did not take place as Betham was forced to retire due to brain injury in 2016.
National and International title wins 2016 - 2017
In May 2016, Bryant took on Monty Filimaea in his first fight in Hometown of Pahiatua since turning pro. His brother Robbie Bryant also fought on the card for his first fight in New Zealand in his professional career and his last fight of his boxing career. Bryant won the fight by Unanimous Decision. After the fight Filimaea announced his retirement from boxing. In June 2016, Bryant took on James Langton on a weeks notice after Monty Betham pulled out due to a brain injury. The fight was for the Interim New Zealand national (NZNBF version) and vacant IBO Asia Pacific Cruiserweight titles. Bryant won the fight by Unanimous Decision. In October 2016, Bryant took on Thomas Heads in their third and final time for the World Boxing Federation Oceania Cruiserweight title. Bryant won the final fight of the trilogy by Stoppage in the tenth round. In May 2017, Bryant took on Junior Fas Brother Isileli Fa to defend her New Zealand National title. Since winning the Interim version of the NZ title, he has been upgraded to being a full New Zealand National Cruiserweight title. Bryant won the fight by second round stoppage. In July 2017, Bryant was scheduled to fight Junior Pati for his New Zealand national and vacant UBF Asia Pacific Cruiserweight titles. Unfortunately Junior Pati pulled out of the fight due to feeling unwell from the weight loss. However, Junior Pati fought anyway with a different opponent in the Heavyweight division for the UBF Asia Pacific Heavyweight title. In September 2017, Bryant took on Aaron Russell for the vacant IBO Oceania-Orient Cruiserweight title. Russell is known as the Kiwi beater after defeated multiple successful New Zealand boxers including James Porter, Asher Derbyshire and Nik Charalampous. Bryant won the fight by second-round knockout.