N.Z. too tough for Aust. boxing best

Press, 10 April 1978, Page 21

N.Z. too tough for Aust. boxing best

Krom

JOHN COFFEY

in Timaru

„ h^ Jan ? s representatives ' "nM h °! the four b °u<s against the Australian amateur boxing team at Timaru on Saiurma'teh bU ' “ " as ’ clos * a ? ,O , rga 1 n > lhe Canterbury . ' \mnmn feat her- w eight - .1 T’vT h*** Gar ' Williams hr - unanimous points decision, and !>■.; dhiirt. Bht " ere ,he judges °r> ll 2 e * ive officials . l 5“ David Jackson in his ch.'c h-ht with David Hall, and RaVki.? Cre 4J verdicls Dean Pk, 'Won, over Benn, b.s. n d “„ he " Phil McElwaine bea Perry Rackley to gain Austrias sole win Ironically Morgan was the only member of the national sq a ad not to receive a Common weaitn Games nomination cesterHl .:.. bout " ith Williams was not exhilarating; the Australian made life difficult for Morgan because of his southpaw style and longer reach. Williams was required to take a mandatory eight count in the first round as Morgan began confidently, and the New Zealander steadily built up a handv points lead. Morgan continued to attack in the final round, contrary to the advice of his tr f' ne r. Mr Ron Mitchell. “It is a boxing institution that if you are two rounds up, you

do not give your opponent a, chance to take the decision from \ou.‘ Mr Mitchell said “I expected Paul to hold his ground! in the last, but he took the fight to the Australian. For his part. Morgan said that; he could have been a little over enhusiastic, but his intention had been to keep on accumulating sufficient points to ensure victory Davitf Jackson, of Hutt Valley, made certain of topping the nominations list with his narrow points margin over Hall. The Australian has had a previous win against Jackson, and lhe ; “conqueror” would be an entertaining and skilful affair if they i were to be drawn against each other at Edmonton. There was nothing between them for the first half of the bout, whether in speed to the punch, or quickness in covering on defence. It was not until i the last round that Jackson nudged ahead — Hall's head was flung back three times by snapping rights — but the New Zealander’s bleeding nose proved that it had not all been one-i wav traffic. The highest-ranked of the Australians. McElwaine, displayed his class in comfortably account- < ing for Perry Rackley. McElwaine compiled points in a i tradesmanlike manner, and had marginally the better of the : closer exchanges. But Rackley was not prepared i

;to bow the knee willingly, and !he gained in confidence as the ffight advanced. He recovered strongly over the later stages lifting his tempo and denying McElwaine a unanimous decision. Rackley’s older brother. Dean, was pitted against a rugged old campaigner in Pike. The stocky Australian gave the impression that he would not be out of his depth in the boxing tents of travelling shows. Pike, if not gifted with Rackley’s brick foot-work, proved a sturdy stalker — until Rackley caught him on the ropes in the second round. Unable to box his way out, he blatantly tried to catch Rackley with a head butt. A second warning for butting in the third round did nothing to help Pike's points situation, and Rackley also drew a warning as the contest threatened to become overheated. Pike kept storming in, Rackley continued to counter effectively, and after it was all over Pike lifted Racklev in a victory salute to show 7 there were no lasting illfeelings. Results i New- Zealand names; 1 first):— Light heavy-weight: D. Rackley beat B. Pike, majority points decision; middle-weight: P. Rackley lost to P. McElwaine. majority points decision: welterweight: D. Jackson beat D. Hall. - majority points decision, feather-; weight, P Morgan beat G. WU-| liams, on points.