Barry misses party but wins his bout

Press, 4 October 1982, Page 25

Barry misses party but wins his bout

The Christchurch light heavyweight boxer. Kevin Barry, missed a party in his home city, on Saturday night. But he had good reason to celebrate after his Commonwealth Games debut in Brisbane. His first Games bout coincided with the twenty-first birthday of his girlfriend, Lee. Instead of enjoying the festivities. Barry was pitted against a sturdy W'estern Samoan, Irwin Ah Hoy, • at the Brisbane Festival Hall.

Barry comfortably accounted for Ah Hoy on points and is now only one win from capping his return to the ring with a Games medal.

Aged 22. Barry took a break from boxing for two years and directed his sporting energies towards playing rugby league for MaristWestern Suburbs. Last January, however, he resumed full training in his father’s gymnasium.

The skilful Barry is unbeaten in his comeback. He won the Oceania title in Auckland in May, eliminating the vastly experienced Australian, Benny Pike, who is widely tipped as a gold medal contender at Brisbane.

In.achieving his ninth consecutive win. Barry was only once in trouble against Ah Hoy, although there was anxiety in the New Zealand camp when the ring-side doctor was called up to examine Barry’s left eye. The injury does not appear to be serious.

Barry was one of 10 entrants 'in the light heavyweight section, and was not fortunate enough to be among the six who received first-round byes. It is expected that Barry will have his quarter-fina'l tonight, against Raphae Mudire (Kenya). On Saturday Mudire halted a .comparative tyro', Douglas Ben (Vanuatu), in the opening round. The winner of Barry’s matching with Mudire will be assured. of at least a bronze medal.

Barry was one of two survivors of the five New Zealanders who competed in the ■ first five boxing sessions.

The other victory was that of Billy Meehan, the featherweight from Manawatu.

Meehan was simply too good for Leo Ruru (Papua New Guinea) and the bout was stopped midway through the second round after Ruru had taken two compulsory standing counts.

Meehan has a difficult second round task. He meets Peter Konyegwachie (Nigeria), who beat a Kenyan. John Wanjau. on points.

The New Zealanders eliminated were Peter Warren (Southland. bantamweight). Apelu loane (Hutt Valley, light welterweight) and Steve Renwick (Wellington, welterweight).

Warren was stopped in the second round by a likely finalist. Roy Webb (Northern Ireland), fhe victim of a stunning right cross, it was only. Warren's eighth loss and his first knock-out in 117 contests.

A-marked disadvantage in reach told against the game loane in his points loss to Christopher Ossai, of Nigeria, loane fought back enthusiastically, but could not score frequently enough with his strong right hand to overcome an early points deficit.

The highly-regarded Renwick met his match in Christopher Pyatt (England), a most impressive 19 year old from Leicester. Renwick, was forced to take an eightcount before Pyatt cruised to a points win.