Wellington boxers at Woolston

Press, 15 May 1985, Page 46

Wellington boxers at Woolston

Three well-performed Canterbury amateur boxers have been matched against opponents from the Wellington area for the Woolston Workingmen’s Club’s annual tournament in the club’s sports hall on Sunday. Clive Bishop, of Crichton Cobbers, has main billing against Paul Utai, a promising competitor from Hutt Valley. Although Utai does not have Bishop’s smattering of international experience, he is highly rated by his trainer, George McCarron. An 18-year-old Rarotongan, Utai is expected to repre-

sent his province at the national championships in Christchurch later this year. Woolston’s two leading boxers, Dean Calvert and Colin Adamson, are to line up against Wellington teammates at the last New Zealand junior titles. Calvert’s meeting with John Bannan should provide skilful competition. They were the beaten semi-final-ists in the national 39kg division last winter. A former champion, Adamson comes up against the present junior 43kg title-holder, Steven Woods. About a dozen other bouts

are scheduled, with two mini-gladiators, Bryce Calvert (Woolston) and John Creedon (Fidow’s), clashing — all 26kg each — in the opening event. Among the senior bouts is that between the light welterweights, Brent Benfell (Woolston) and Marty Callaghan (Crichton Cobbers). Benfell won an earlier encounter by a knock-out when trailing on points. The tournament prizes are to be sponsored by Acme Metal and Drum (Christchurch), Ltd.