Boxer’s death leads to suspensions

Press, 13 October 1976, Page 6

Boxer’s death leads to suspensions

PA Wellington The New Zealand Boxing Association has suspended two prominent Auckland association officials while an investigation into the death of the Whangarei boxer. Peter Gilbert, in Noumea last July is carried out. An appeal against the suspension will be lodged with the appeal committee of the N.Z.B.A.

The council chairman (Mr J. B. Kent) said yesterday that Auckland Boxing Association committee - members Messrs G. P. Dwan and B. R. Hornblow had been suspended by the council.

Mr Dwan, president of the A.B.A. and Mr Hornblow. a past president of the N.Z.8.A., accompanied the light welter-weight Gilbert and another Auckland amateur to Noumea for a tournament there on July 17. Gilbert was knocked out in his bout and collapsed afterwards, suffering from a brain haemorrhage. He underwent

(surgery the following night,; (but died five nights later. I The knock-out defeat for 1 Gilbert, a 25-year-old father' (of two. came 25 days after) She had been knocked out ini la bout in Auckland. After I the boxer’s death the referee; iof the Auckland fight. Mr) (Bob Lyall, disclosed that he! had made an entry in Gili beet's medical record book at I [the time indicating that he had been badly concussed. [ This should have meant an! automatic suspension period; from the ring of one month) under N'.Z.B.A. rules. Mr Kent said yesterday he had decided to make a statement after having been asked what was to be done to tighten the administration of amateur boxing in New Zealand so there would be no repetition of the type of acident which led to Gilbert'sdeath. “It is clear that the rules: of the New Zealand Boxing Association have been breached.” said a statement! from Mr Kent.

i “The New Zealand Boxing Association has been very (active in its investigation of ■)the matter." •: The president of the Auckilland Boxing Association (Mr [George Dwan) last night ds- ; three points • ■ 'Press Association report vesj terday on (he sequel to GilIbert’s death. 1 Mr Dwan said he was on .[sick leave in Napier at the 'time Gilbert went to Noumea. and was not present at the bout, as stated. ; Gilbert was not litera y “knocked out” in Noumea. He was able to go to the centre ! of the ring to await the decision. Finally, he had a copy of ; the medical record book and nowhere did it state that Gilbert had been "badlv concussed” after the Auck and bout, said Mr Dwan Mr Dwan added that Gilbert had not been put oiu by 1 the doctor who examined him [immediately after the knockout in Auckland. A cleailance was given for him to •continue boxing.