BOXING: Taylor fights to make NZ team

Anthony Taylor is confident the ring rust won't get him as he leaves today in a last-ditch bid to make New Zealand's Commonwealth Games boxing team.
Taylor, the New Zealand light-welterweight champion in 2008, heads to the Oceania championships at Canberra's Australian Institute of Sport knowing a big performance could take him to Delhi.
He hasn't had a competitive fight since losing in the first round of the Commonwealth Cup in India in March.
New Zealand has submitted a squad of six boxers, including Taylor and former Tauranga-based heavyweight Dave Aloua, to the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association for selection consideration.
It is likely four will get the nod when the boxing team is named in the next two weeks.
"I'm still a good chance," Taylor said yesterday, "but I'll be a hell of a lot better chance if I go well over in Oz. Fifth or sixth in Australia probably isn't going to be good enough to cut it in the eyes of the selectors - I'm pretty safe in picking I'll need a medal to boost my chances."
Taylor was meant to fight at an international tournament in Croatia in May but was caught up in the air travel disruption caused by Iceland volcano Mt Eyjafjallajokul's ash cloud and didn't go.
He has been training well but hasn't fought, something that doesn't worry his coach Chris Walker. "Dave lost a bit of drive after that and has been out of the ring, although he's the sort of guy who is a good trainer and can just get in the ring and perform."
Taylor was offered the opportunity to compete at the Oceanias several weeks ago.
Australia is using the four day, six-session tournament to select their team for Delhi, with Taylor tipping a big battle against their No 1 and 2.
Meanwhile, the rigours of a massive season have ruled professional New Zealand cyclist Julian Dean out of the Games but he will still race September's world road championships in Melbourne.
Dean told New Zealand selectors that his professional outfit, Garmin Transitions, want him to ride this month's Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain).
In a best-ever performance by a New Zealander, Dean rode brilliantly at last month's Tour de France, achieving three podium placings. He also took the startline for May's Giro d'Italia.
Dean, 35, was the only rider last year to complete all three grand tours - the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta.
"I know from experience that it is not realistic to carry on the form for much more than two weeks after a grand tour such as the Tour of Spain, particularly at the end of a very long season," Dean said.
"Although I'm confident that I'll be in good form for the world championship, I'm not sure if I'd be able to carry that form through to Delhi (in October). Rather than risk not being at my best, it's better that I withdraw now and allow a promising young rider the opportunity to gain the experience."