Schwalger to box as a professional

Press, 17 November 1982, Page 64

Schwalger to box as a professional

Bv

JOHN COFFEY

Vivian Schwaiger, who was twice a New Zealand representative during his amateur boxing career, has decided to turn professional and will make his debut in Christchurch early next year. An accomplished 'light heavyweight. Schwaiger competed for both Auckland and Canterbury and fashioned a proud record at international level. He was unbeaten on a tour of the Pacific Islands in 1981 and was the runner-up to his gym-mate, Kevin Barry, at the Oceania tournament in Auckland last May. Schwaiger had started his campaign at the Oceania competition by knocking out James Kalo, of Vanuatu, in the first round. But Barry - who was to go on to win a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane — wrested a marked points advantage in the final, the second such result in two matchings. The association between Schwaiger, aged 23, and the Barry family will continue. Schwaiger will be trained and managed by Kevin Barry, sen. in Christchurch and one of his most regular sparring partners will be Kevin Barry, jun. For his part, Kevin Barry, jun. will remain in the amateur ranks, no doubt with an eye to selection for the New Zealand squad to compete at the inaugural Commonwealth tournament in Belfast. Northern Ireland, next September.

Schwaiger had his introduction to boxing while at school in Christchurch, but it was when he was based in Auckland that he was runner-up to the well-per-formed Perry Rackley in the 1979 national middleweight championship. "I believe Schwaiger will be a drawcard in Christchurch," Mr Barry said yesterday. "His Auckland. Canterbury. South Island Golden Gloves titles and performances for New Zealand give him an impressive amateur background. “He is already in light training and is a pretty fit bloke. Vivian is aware that he has to show dedication and to work hard for me to agree to train him — I have got plenty of useful amateurs to look after." said Mr Barry. Mr Barry will be in Auckland next week and is to seek out suitable opponents for Schwaiger. Present plans are for the Canterbury freezing worker to have his first bout over 10 two-minute rounds at the Hillsborough Tavern in late January or early February. Meanwhile. the Commonwealth Games welterweight representative, Steve Renwick (Wellington), is to begin his professional career against Peter Samuella. of Auckland, at Wellington on December 6. Renwick, aged 22, still intends to fight in Australia and will leave for Sydney two days after meeting Samuella.