Pean faces English No. 1 and critics

Press, 22 December 1987, Page 44

Pean faces English No. 1 and critics

PA Wellington The heavyweight boxer, Jimmy Peau, faces more than the formidable expanses of the English No. 1 Henry Akinwande, today —• he faces his critics in an attempt to re-establish his credibility. In the wake of his poor performance at the World Cup in Belgrade last month, and the resultant highly publicised row with the national coach, Alan Scaife, a loss to the 1.98 m tall Akinwande could seriously jeopardise his hopes of competing in the Seoul Olympics. And no-one is more aware of that than Peau and his life-time trainer, Gerry Preston. Peau’s first steps in reproving — or reminding of — his Olympic prospects comes when he headlines an innovative

five bout card which preludes a harness meeting at Alexandra Park Raceway in Auckland today.

Scaife described Peau’s World Cup performance against the Dutchman, and subsequent silver medallist, Arnold Van Derlidge, as “dismal” and said the Aucklander lacked the skill, technique and dedication to make it to the top.

Those words — and similar, subsequent rumours — have been ringing in Peau’s ears since. “There is a lot of pressure for sure, but I can’t wait to get in the ring and talk with my hands,” Peau said. "I have heard talk that people are still saying I’m not good enough for the Olympics and all that, and I want to shut them up.” Initially the turmoil of

the Belgrade fiasco put Peau Off stride, mentally and in training, but that is all behind him now.

“It’s actually made me stronger,” he said.

“I use it to motivate myself. This is another step in my build-up to the Olympics, just as Jonathon Littles, the American, was a step. “He is the No. 1, in England, a top ranked fighter, and I will not be underestimating him at all.”

Mr Preston agrees that Peau’s career could hinge on the outcome. “There is a lot on the line. He has to prove that what was said about him after the World Cup is wrong, and he has to prove he can beat these blokes. “He understands what is at stake.”