Boxers critical of draw system

Press, 28 July 1987, Page 40

Boxers critical of draw system

By

CHRIS MIRAMS,

of NZPA

Rarotonga The system to be used for the draw in the Oceania boxing championships has come under fire from the New Zealand team. The draw is to be made from a hat which, if the odds continue against the Kiwis, could see New Zealanders fighting New Zealanders in the second qualifying round. The president of the A.1.8.A. Oceania region, Arthur Tunstall, confirmed yesterday that the draw will be made from a hat but if two opponents from the same country draw each other in the first round the second name will be pUt aside and another name drawn. The second name will then be returned and redrawn. “The same will not apply to the second round though,” Tunstall said. “If countryman draws countryman then that’s the way it has to go.”

The New Zealand management has been critical of the decision as it feels with two competitors in four divisions there is the possibility of at least three all-Kiwi finals.

Two divisions where the possibility of an all-New Zealand final is possible are in the light heavyweight and light middleweights. The importance of reaching the final is paramount to chances of being selected for the Oceania squad to the World Cup and also selection for next year’s Olympics. Winning the team trophy has become very important to the New Zealand squad and should fighters draw one another early on then future points have been lost Only the points from winning performances count towards the trophy and should for example two of the light heavyweights face each other in the second round points are going to go begging.

The old trans-Tasman rivalry has surfaced with both teams easily favoured to dominate the tournament. The Australian manager, Paul Thompson’s statement on Sunday that his team would be in seven finals and be taking home a bag full of gold have struck a nerve among the New Zealanders.