Entertaining start to boxing season

Press, 14 April 1980, Page 30

Entertaining start to boxing season

Experience generally prevailed but the spirited performances by several of the less seasoned competitors ensured that the Canterbury Boxing Association’s first amateur tournament of the season provided lots of entertainment for the spectators.

Tony Atwood, a bronze medallist at the last Oceania Games, won, as expected, over his Crichton Cobbers opponent, Les Gallop. Atwood, from Temuka, used his skills to gain a unanimous points decision, but Gallop fought gamely throughout. A particularly popular win was that of Mark Rivers (Crichton Cobbers) over Faaliga To’Omalatai (Fidow’s Gym). Rivers conceded a

considerable weight advantage and had to combat the forceful punching of To’Omalatai, his coolness under pressure and prolific left-hand leads carrying him through to a points victory. For much of their bout, Barry White (Ashburton) appeared to be steadily moving towards a comfortable points win at the expense of Graham McGinn (Richmond W.M.C.). McGinn had other ideas, though, and mounted a. desperate recovery to trap White on the ropes in the second round. White, still on his feet, was counted out. Andrew Wallace, of Ashburton, tested the more experienced Kerry Tinklr (Richmond W.M.C.) in a perienced Kerry Tinkler — at 18, two years older

than his opponent — managing to keep in front on points. The cleaner punches of Mike Butler (Crichton Cobbers) carried him to a points victory against Mike Keenan (Barry’s Gym). Other results. —

Tony Hart (Ashburton) beat Dave Murray (Papanui), referee stopped contest in round 2; Keith Gemmet (Ashburton) beat Tony Bell (Bell’s Gym), points; Kiria Matinu (Barry’s) beat Jamie James (Temuka), points; Jack Thompson (Barry’s) beat John Leath (Ashburton), points; Malcolm Platt (Barry’s) beat Simon O’Grady (Ashburton), referee stopped contest in round 1.

The next tournament, a memorial to the late Mr Eric Pocock, will be on May 11.