Boxing official takes issue

Press, 11 September 1985, Page 60

Boxing official takes issue

PA Invercargill The Tapanui boxing personality, Mike Crichton, has taken issue with the reported comments by the New Zealand trainer, Kevin Barry, senior on the new legislation covering the appointment of team officials. Mr Crichton is the president of the South Island Boxing Trainer’s Federation, and a member of the New Zealand Golden Gloves committee. Mr Crichton said yesterday that Mr Barry had shown an inability to understand and correctly interpret the resolution passed at the annual meeting of the N.Z.B.A. in Christchurch. “At no time was there ever any mention of a 12month non-renewable term for the New Zealand trainer and manager,” said Mr Crichton. “The original remit from one of the associations requested the barring of coum cil members from either position. “The New Zealand trainers, led by Chris Kenny, of Wellington, considered this action unfair, and were successful in amending the rule to one that limited successful nominees to the one term of office involving that particular New Zealand squad. “There is nothing preventing the same people standing, and hopefully being reappointed on their merits. “The trainers consider that the New Zealand

coach’s job is one of continuing conditioning and morale, and that there are quite a number of trainers in this country more than capable of performing as well, and better, than Kevin Barry. “They also think that the manager’s job should not be simply a reward for long service and membership of the old boys’ inner circle,” Mr Crichton said. “Mr Barry criticises the lack of experience of some of the trainers who did all the talking last week. “I did more, what I hope was constructive talking, than anyone else, and for Mr Barry’s information, 1 prepared New Zealand champions in 1983 and 1984, and was once again in the champions corner last week. “In 1982, I took three months to turn a losing battler named David Warren into the most improved boxer in New Zealand’s top province, Southland, even beating the New Zealand champion, and no one would class me among the top 10 trainers. “Last week was the first time Kevin Barry has attended either a New Zealand or South Island trainers’ meeting in three years. This year’s annual meeting saw the largest attendance of trainers... and at long last a sense of unity appeared,” Mr Crichton said. Kevin Barry’s comments, page 28.