More than 20 boxers from the region will contest the South Island Golden Gloves in Christchurch this weekend.
There is a good smattering of New Zealand champions among the contingent, so expectations are high.
Queenstown's Richie Hadlow is in with a good shot at the open 64kg division.
Hadlow is still hopeful of qualifying for the Olympics and will fly to Azerbaijan next month to compete in the qualifying event.
In the meantime, he will be determined to produce a good performance in Christchurch.
Callum Owen, who is also from Queenstown, shapes as an excellent prospect as well. He won a split decision against Sheldon Whalley to claim the national middleweight title in 2014.
He will have some keen competition from former junior national champion Jonathan Hewitt (35), who has returned to Dunedin after a stint in Oamaru.
Hammerhead fighters Matt Crawford, Alex Hanan and Kasib Murdoch have strong title claims as well.
All three are national or previous national champions in their divisions.
Light heavyweight Rhiane Bishop has clocked up 13 fights and might be an outside chance.
Four-time New Zealand champion Bridget Morton has abandoned her Olympic dream to focus on the Commonwealth Games.
She will compete at the Golden Gloves but it is unclear whether the organisers will be able to find her an opponent and she may claim the title unopposed.
