N.Z. boxing hopes dashed

Press, 29 May 1982, Page 6

N.Z. boxing hopes dashed

rn aucKianu Hopes of a big New Zealand boxing team at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games were dashed at the final session of the Oceania championships at the Auckland University last night. Although represented in 10 ot the 11 finals. New Zealand won only five titles with three of these coming in all-New Zealand affairs.

Only Apelu loane in the light welterweight division and the heavyweight surprise packet. Michael Kenny, gave the home crowd any real excitement. loane took a spilt points decision from Shayne Quaid (Queensland) and Kenny, despite the odds, took a clear points decision from Roy Bijkerk (New South Wales.

Hopes of another title for New Zealand ended cruelly for Tu’uta Fusitua in his middleweight clash with Pat Hailwood.

After taking the first round on all five judges cards, Fusitua slumped to the canvas 50 seconds into the second round. Touching his obviously painful right knee, Fusitua tried bravely to get up but found the effort beyond him. He staggered to his feet briefly before the referee stepped in and counted him out. A ringside doctor later diagnosed the injury as possible torn ligaments after he had twisted his knee in stepping awkwardly. Results were:—

Light flyweight.-Chang HsiHsing (Taiwan) beat Keith Smith (N.Z.). referee stopped contest round 2 (cut eye). Bronze medals: Frank Armstrong (Queensland), Jofa Yarawi (P.N.G.).

Flyweight—Danny Murgha (Queensland) beat Chung Pao-

Ming (Taiwan), split points. Bronze medals: Ashley Thorne (New South Wales). Glv'nn Valentine (P.N.G.).

Bantamweight.-Craig Pevy (N.S.W.) beat Vini Nu'ufola’u (N.Z.). split points. Bronze medals: Jan Ching-Yun (Taiwan). Peter Warren (N.Z.). Featherweight.—Tony Jones (West Australia) beat Billy Meehan (N.Z.); split points. Bronze medals: Richard Pittman (N.Z.). Hwang Chih-Shang (Taiwan).

Lightweight.—Michael Sykes (N.Z. No. 1) beat Eldon Clifton (N.Z. No. 2). points. Bronze medals: Brett Young (N.S.W.). Ray Arua (P.N.G.). Light welterweight.—Apelu loane (N.Z.) beat Shayne Quaid (Queensland), split points. Bronze medals: Jeffie Sapak (P.N.G.), Exley Raivor (Vanuatu). Welterweight—Steve Renwick (N.Z. No. 1) beat Kevin Pyne (N.Z. No. 2). points. Bronze medals: Saiva Bakuse (P.N.G.). Bruce Spencer (P.N.G.). Light middleweight—David Hall (N.S.W.) beat Michael Fiavell (N.Z.), points. Bronze medals: Brendan Cannon (Victoria), Ravmond Kahaku (P.N.G.). Middleweight.—Pat Hailwood (N.S.W.) beat Tu’uta Fusitua (N.Z.). knock-out round 2. Bronze medals: James Mohelagi (Niue). Peter Armstrong (N.ZJ. Light heavyweight—Kevin Barry (N.Z. No. 1) beat Vivian Schwaiger (N.Z. No. 2). points. Bronze medals: Benny Pike (Queensland), James Kalo (Vanuatu).

Heavyweight.-Michael Kennv (N.Z.) beat Roy Bijkerk (N.S.W.). points. Bronze medals: Darrel Clencie (Victoria). Eddie Ikimau (Niue).