Wyllie takes the Shield ‘on tour’

Press, 3 October 1983, Page 1

Wyllie takes the Shield ‘on tour’

JOHN COFFEY

Sylvester Stallone’s choreographer might have been puzzled by the script but Alex Wyllie and Kevin Barry yesterday proved themselves worthy combatants in the Christchurch equivalent of “Rocky IV.”

Their bout at the Richmond Working Men’s Club (which someone had overlooked temporarily renaming the Kevin Barry Boxing Hall), ended in a "draw” after three rounds of diminishing duration. Wyllie was in unfamiliar territory, but he was not unprepared. He brought with him the Ranfurly Shield and national rugby championship cup to testify to his prowess in a not totally unrelated sport.

In his corner were two very able “minders,” Murray Davie and Craig Green, who gave the distinct impression they were there to protect their “boss” with both strength and speed.

If Wyllie and his entourage were to be the villains, the spectators did not accept the type-casting. Their deeds over the last few months earned them a warm reception, even when pitted against Canterbury boxing’s favourite son, Barry, the Oceania and Commonwealth amateur light-heavyweight champion.

Having been introduced as “the notable trainer supremo” Wyllie proved that he appreciated the worth of moving forward and taking advantage of second-phase oportunities to put points on the board.

Inspired by Green’s instruction to "get your mind on the job,” Wyllie completed the first round with a flying tackle. It was the first time that Barry had hit the canvas for years.

The between-rounds banter was just as entertaining. “Is that the best you can do?” they asked from Barry’s corner. “Where did you get that gold medal, from Hulston’s auction rooms?” came the reply. Davie, apparently a devotee of televised professional wrestling, lent his mentor a hand in the second round by pinning Barry to the ropes while Wyllie went to work with a will.

From ringside came a now well worn tune, with new words: “Give him a punch, Kev-in, give him a punch.”

It was time for the men of Canterbury rugby to show their solidarity in round three. Davie and Green also donned gloves and Barry’s situation was similar to that of the British force at the Battle of Rorke’s Drift.

The point made, Wyllie and Davie retreated, leaving Green suddenly very much alone and very close to Barry. Green needed only to spy the glint in Barry’s eye to show that pace of foot is not the least of his rugby assets — perhaps he thought his nick-name, Pelican, needed protecting. Wyllie and his men — several other Shield players were among the spectators — had done their part in keeping Barry in trim for the World Cup tournament in Rome later this month.