Auckland boxer 12 months late

Press, 12 June 1986, Page 40

Auckland boxer 12 months late

By

JOHN COFFEY

The Auckland middleweight amateur boxer, Pio Anitilea, is to compete in Christchurch on Sunday — almost 12 months after he was originally scheduled to fight in the city. Anitilea was matched against Danny Morris last winter, but it was subsequently discbvered that the Auckland representative had been chosen for a North Island team to oppose South at Oamaru the same day. Although Anitilea withdrew from the North squad, he was not permitted to share the Richmond Working Men’s Club ring with Morris. The national council had ruled that the inter-island fixture should have been given priority. On Sunday, travel and other arrangements permitting, Anitilea will be up against the well-per-

formed Kevin Rickerby (Bell’s gymnasium). If the bout lasts the full three 3min rounds Rickerby’s condition might be tested. In his most recent appearance, at the South Island Golden Gloves tournament in Timaru, Rickerby required less than one round to win his final. The main supporting bout on Sunday is between Monty Sewpersad, of Southland, and the capable Lance Austin (Richmond W.M.C.). They will, in effect, be disputing third placing from the Golden Gloves light-wel-terweight division. Sewpersad lost to the eventual champion, Clive Bishop (Canterbury), and Austin was beaten by Alan Gibson (Nelson) in the semi-finals at Timaru. Austin has the psychological advantage of having earned a points decision over Sewpersad last season.