KENDALL IN SEMI-FINALS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31134, 10 August 1966, Page 18

KENDALL IN SEMI-FINALS

(Special Correspondent N Z.P A ) KINGSTON. The Canterbury boxer, B. Kendall, is assured of two more bouts in the Commonwealth Games—provided an injured right hand does not force him to withdraw.

A most convincing > points win in his sec* ! ond contest, against C. Henry, of Jamaica, ; took Kendall into the last four in the ban- : tam-weight division. Even if he is beaten in his next bout, on Wednesday night, he is assured of a fightoff for the bronze medal, if he is fit. Kendall suffered a recurrence of an old injury to his right hand in his first bout in Kingston, in which he won on points against N. Virabhak, of Singapore. Considerable Lump It was swollen after the fight and before he stepped into the ring against Henry, there was a considerable lump on the back of his hand. Yet, there was no sign of the injury during his fight. He was in command all the way, boxing coolly and cleverly with neat counter punching and effective combinations.

, He did fgveur his left hand- ' with a particularly strong rip [to the body that scored heavily for him. but he also used his [ right effectively, although [with less than usual power. The boxing section manager. IMr R. Dunn, was reluctant [to discuss Kendall’s injury, although he is obviously con- [ cerned about it. [ “If we are beaten there will J be no excuses.” was his attitude. Plenty of Power There has never been much ’ doubt about Kendall's ring skill—he is the Jameson Belt holder as the most scientific ’ boxer at the New Zealand championships but his punching was inclined to be s floppy. I Now he is hitting straight . and with plenty of power, and ; he is as smart as even in elud- . ing his opponent f The other three left un- • beaten among the bantam- . weights are L. Nderu ’ (Kenya). E. Ndukwu (Ni- ! geria) and D. Norwood (Australia).