Dunedin-based fighters acquitted themselves well as part of the South Island team at the New Zealand Golden Gloves in Nelson at the weekend.
Both heavyweight Glen Craig and welterweight Daniel Parkin were beaten by North Island rivals in the semis.
But trainer Eldon Clifton said the pair took their opponents to the wire, and he thought Parkin, in particular, was unlucky not to get the judges' decision.
Parkin (21) was technically competing as a Nelson boxer in his 25-24 loss to experienced Aucklander Kahukura Bentson.
But he is now living and training in Dunedin, under Clifton at New Zealand Fight and Fitness.
Parkin kept his No 3 national ranking, while Bentson went on to a narrow win over Bowen Morgan (Christchurch) in the welterweight final.
Craig, also ranked No 3 in the country, delighted the Nelson crowd with his stalking, counter-punching style.
He landed a few telling blows on his semifinal opponent, Hamilton's David Aloha Rodgers, before the North Islander claimed a 30-20 win.
Rodgers was then knocked out in the first round of the final by Cantabrian Donavan Madzvimbo.
Craig and other Otago fighters will compete at the Southland championships in Invercargill on July 24.
