Boxing wins to Ellis, Morris

Press, 26 June 1989, Page 26

Boxing wins to Ellis, Morris

Royce Ellis and Danny Morris, both from Bell’s gymnasium, won unanimous points decisions and other accolades at the Canterbury Boxing Association’s tournament at Richmond Working Men’s Club yesterday. Ellis beat Ben Ah Chong (Invercargill) and was awarded the Bill Molloy Trophy as "boxer of the day.” A few minutes earlier Morris had won at the expense of another Southland visitor, Tuna Vili, and earned points towards the Len Scuffell Memorial Trophy. Although Ah Chong was having only his second bout for some seasons — he had lost a majority decision to Ellis last month — he proved to be no pushover. Ellis boxed rustily in the early stages as Ah Chong stalked him. Even when Ellis had his jabs, uppercuts and combinations coming together in the second round he was staggered by a superb rip to the solar plexus.

The third round was fought at a hectic pace, Ellis maintaining his slight edge until forced to take an eight-count after another punishing body blow. Ellis, obviously hurt, needed to call on his reserves of energy and courage to stay ahead.

Apart from having to accept a surprising eight-count in the second round, Morris was always on course to beat Vjli.

Morris scored well in the first round as Vili concentrated too much on delivering a knock-out punch. In the closing stages Morris continued to exercise his authority, cancelling out his own eight-count by forcing one on his rival.

A third visftor, Shane Samuels (Manukau), was more successful, being a unanimous winner over the Christchurch-based former Western Samoan representative, Ipolito Falaniko (Woolston W.M.C.). Results.—

James McDonald (Woolston) beat Kelly Shields (Invercargill), points; Terry O’Shannessey (Olympic) beat Martin Peagram (Fidow’s), points; Monty Tuiena (Fidow’s) beat Joshua Sua (Woolston), retirement 2; John Barclay (Olympic) beat Darrell Gordon (Bell’s), points; Declan O’Malley (Woolston) beat Aaron Ngataki (Barry's), majority points; Newton Werner (Olympic) beat Andy Neilson (Richmond), points; Sefu La Kong (Barry’s) beat Peter Harnett (Richmond), points; Shane Samuels (Manukau) beat Ipolito Falaniko (Woolston), points; Anthony Woolcott (Papanui), beat Mathew Doolan (Olympic), r.s.c. 3; Danny Morris (Bell's) beat Tuna Vili (Invercargill), points; Royce Ellis (Bell’s) beat Ben Ah Chong (Invercargill), points. j