Criticism justified

Press, 16 June 1979, Page 12

Criticism justified

Criticism made at the time of the selection of the New Zealand boxing team which subsequently won the Oceania title at Dubbo (New South Wales) last month was proved to be justified when the principal combatants met a week ago. There was widespread surprise, at least in Canterbury, that Tony Atwood (Timaru) was chosen ahead of the very promising Southland boxer, Peter Warren. It was suggested then that they should have been matched in a trial to decide the bantam-weight representative. Warren had the opportunity to prove his omission was a mistake during the Golden Gloves tournament in Dunedin recently, and he did so in no uncertain manner by achieving a clear-cut points decision over Atwood. It was not that Atwood had an off-night. Mr Dave Graham of Christchurch, one experienced observer who saw him fight in Dubbo, was adamant that Atwood was in considerably better form at Dunedin, yet was still outclassed by his Southland rival.