N.Z. Title-holders Win Olympic Boxing Trials

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31657, 18 April 1968, Page 10

N.Z. Title-holders Win Olympic Boxing Trials

Three New Zealand amateur boxing champions—B. Kendall (Canterbury, feather-weight), R. Carstairs (Canterbury, light-weight) and W. Graham (Wellington, light welter-weight) —convincingly won their bouts when the first series of Olympic Games trials were held at Canterbury Court last evening.

Kendall and Graham, who have shared the Jameson Belt for the most scientific boxer at the national championships during the last three years, each won inside the distance. Their bouts were stopped in the second round, Kendall beating R. Puleaga (Wellington) and Graham defeating G. Mockford (Otago). The Palmerston North boxer, and runner-up to Kendall at the 1967 championships, J. Wright, was easily outpointed by the heavier Carstairs. MOCKFORD HELPLESS The most impressive performance was Graham's, who took a clear points lead over Mockford in the first two rounds before moving in to finish the bout with left and right hooks that left the Dunedin boxer helpless on the ropes. A probing left hand that kept Mockford moving back, combined with his strong defence, enabled Graham to establish mastery in the early round. The game Dunedin boxer was unable to evade

Graham’s flicking straight lefts.

five of its six representatives won their preliminary bouts. In contrast, all four Ashburton boxers were beaten, two within the distance.

In the third round Graham attacked, hitting Mockford with straight lefts again, but this time as a prelude to a series of left and right hooks. He forced Mockford back to the ropes and pounded him until the referee stepped in, Mockford being held up only by the bottom rope. PREMATURE DECISIOH Puleaga fought gamely against Kendall, and during the first round countered many of Kendall’s leads with equally accurate blows. In the second round, after being cautioned for using the inside of his glove, Puleaga was forced to move on to the back foot as Kendall bored in. scoring with both fists. Although the decision of the referee (Mr H. Shields) to stop the bout may have been premature, there was little doubt that Kendall was in full control. Carstairs was not deterred by Wright’s aggressive forward style and he did better than the Palmerston North boxer in the many furious exchanges. His 61b weight advantage and the more clean blows landed by Carstairs slowed Wright towards the end of each round. The Canterbury boxer had the better defence, taking many of Wright’s blows on the gloves while moving in to counter attack. During the last round, Carstairs scored well with a left hook as Wright attempted to use his right. The Crichton Cobbers Club had a particularly successfu evening. Apart from Carstairs

The referee was Mr H Shields and the judges were Messrs C. Wellman, C Knowles and S. C. Ashton

Results of preliminary bouts were:

.Junior.—R. Green (Fldow s Gym) beat L. Grant (Christchurch Irish Club), on pointsK. Pyne (Crichton Cobbers) beat M. McKenzie (Ashburton), on points: G. Rickerby (Crichton Cobbers) beat B. Dwyer (Ashburton), on points; e Briggs (Woolston W.M C.) beat G. Hedges (Ashburton), stopped in first round. M. O'Donovan (Christchurch Irish Club) beat .1. Benny (Crichton Cobbers) on points, a split decision. Novice.—Light-weight: M Lum (Crichton Cobbers) beat R Ash (Linwood Boys' Club). on points, a split decision Welterweight: T. Hindmarch (Crichton Cobbers) beat G. Pitt (Ashburton). on points. Welter weight: L. Vade (Woolston W.M.C.) beat M. Fisco (Fidow’s Gym), on points. Fly-weight—C. Plowman (Wellington) beat D. Lawson (Fidow’s Gym), referee stopped contest round two. Light-weight. S. • Fidow (Fidow’s Gym) beat K. James (Woolston W.M.C.). on points. R. Thompson (Linwood Boys’ Club) beat .J. Sweeney (Woolston W.M.C.), on points.