SYDNEY - New Zealand boxing coach John McKay has some sympathy for the Samoan fighter who hit him at the Oceania championships in Canberra.
Moroni Schwalger, a 22-year-old light middleweight, attacked McKay and 78-year-old Australian administrator Arthur Tunstall, as well as smashing computers used for scoring.
McKay was uninjured from a single
blow to the chin, but Tunstall required treatment for a cut above his eye.
Schwalger yesterday faced two charges of assault and two for causing criminal damage. He has been remanded in custody and is to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today.
Schwalger was upset after being expelled from the tournament on Friday when McKay revealed he had competed at an unsanctioned tournament in New Zealand last month.
On Saturday, he burst through security, smashed computers being used for scoring at the championships and attacked McKay and Tunstall.
McKay, a former New Zealand champion, said Schwalger's punching power was less than he expected. The coach was preparing his heavyweight fighter in the warm-up area when Schwalger came through and punched him on the chin.
"I was not impressed, he has to do better than that," McKay said.
"Boxing's an emotive sport so I understand his dilemma. I don't condone what he did.
"I had spoken to the lad earlier in the week and told him what he needed to do. I understand he feels that I'm totally to blame. I didn't make the decision, I brought the case to the Oceania meeting. In hindsight, it was good that I didn't retaliate."
The coach said amateur boxers had to be more aware of the pitfalls of competing in New Zealand tournaments not sanctioned by the New Zealand Boxing Association.
"There are a number of these other tournaments over which we have no control.
"They have been granted a status by the Department of Internal Affairs and they can promote amateur tournaments.
"The worst part of it is that the boys are the ones who suffer. Administrators [of the unsanctioned tournaments] don't give a damn. They should let these boxers know the ramifications, but they just want to promote and make money."
Samoan manager Milford Faafouina said there would be no further problems from their seven-man team.
"What happened on Saturday we regret and feel sorry for," Faafouina said.
"It gives a bad impression, not only for our team but for boxing. We feel sorry for Mr Tunstall and Dr McKay and I apologised to them on behalf of Moroni and the team."
- NZPA
