Shane was born in Wellington, New Zealand and raised in Tiniroto, a small farming community on the East Coast near Gisborne. Growing up in a rural community meant there was no local boxing club, so he spent all his spare time out on the farm. Starting his boxing career later than most - 1998, at the age of 19, he laced up, trained hard and had his first amateur fight during his OE in England. “My grandfather used to fight in the early 1930s, and I always liked listening to his stories. He was even boxing on the boat when he came over from Scotland at the age of seven. He’d go running up the hills at 3 in the morning and sparring with no mouthguard, headgear or proper gloves”. That shared relentless drive and determination put him in good stead to build his boxing legacy.
Shane had 48 amateur fights with 40 wins and 8 losses; he won many accolades during his amateur career, including the New Zealand heavyweight title, the Jameson Belt for the most scientific boxer of the tournament and a bronze medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
The next step was to turn professional, and with a 34-5-29 record, Shane became one of New Zealand’s most well-known and successful boxers. Highlights include sparring with Mike Tyson in Arizona, training with David Haye in England and fighting for a World Title against Danny Green in 2012.