Canty boxers continue challenge for N.Z. squad selection

Press, 11 July 1989, Page 40

Canty boxers continue challenge for N.Z. squad selection

By

JOHN COFFEY

Michael Bell and Danny Morris will continue their challenges for places in the New Zealand Commonwealth Games amateur boxing squad in such contrasting venues as Tahiti and Timaru. < The two Canterbury contenders have been included in a 10-man national squad leaving for Tahiti tomorrow. Their trainer, Peter Bell, will also be travelling as assistant to John McKay. Each boxer hasM>een

guaranteed two bouts dur- . ing the 10 days they are . in Tahiti. One week after their return, Bell and Morris will be competing at the Games trials in Timaru. - “We have no idea what the opposition will be like over there,” said Mr Bell. “But Tahitian boxers have always been pretty tough at Oceania tournaments and they are hell of a - hard to beat at home.” But Mr Bell is delighted that both Bell and Morris , will have three hard contests in quick succession.

For Bell, in particular, there have been frustratingly long gaps between quality bouts. He has fought only five times this season, four of them at overseas venues. “He’s looking good in the gymnasium, but that’s not the same as the real thing,” said Mr Bell. Morris has won all but. one of his eight bouts, and revenged that loss to Barry Galbraith (Nelson). “Danny will, fight anybody. He’s getting better withe every fight, his punching power is im-

■ proving and his skills are coining on in leaps and bounds,” said Mr Bell. ■“He’s looking so strong now, ready to start knocking people over,” he said, i Both will encounter fori midable opponents at Timaru on July 29. Bell, seeking the middleweight position in the Games team, has been matched against the New South Wales light heavyweight champion, Gary Large. Morris is to fight the reigning New Zealand welterweight title-haider, Sililo Figota, of