Boxing: Officials hope for 'Tua effect'

New Zealand boxing officials hope the wave of interest created by David Tua's latest comeback in the heavyweight ranks will spill over to the national amateur championships in Rotorua this week.

The country's best amateurs will fight from Thursday to Saturday, with the championships coming hot on the heels of the heavyweight bout near Hamilton last Saturday when Tua knocked out fellow Kiwi Shane Cameron in the second round.

Tua and Cameron served their time in the amateur ranks and fought at the championships. Both have their names engraved on the Dewar Shield, which is awarded to the winner of the heavyweight division.

However, it is the middleweight division which is expected to command most attention in Rotorua.

With eight confirmed entries and the expected appearance of veteran Kahukura Bentson in the division, there should be four preliminary contests on Thursday.

Defending champion Nathan McEwan, of Canterbury, is favoured to win the division. He holds a world ranking of 25 and also holds the Jameson Belt.

McEwan is likely to receive plenty of competition from fellow Cantabrian Luke Searle, who is arguably the most improved boxer in the country in the past 12 months.

Another with credentials is Bay of Plenty's Gunnar Jackson, while Kyle Mereweather, of Waikato, is a chance.

The welterweight class will also require at least four preliminary bouts on the first day.

Last year, Wellington/Hutt Valley boxer Leti Emilo Leti, who had won Oceania championships gold for Samoa, scythed through the 69kg division to win the Morgan Cup.

Kieran Foley, who won the national lightweight crown in 2001, is an interesting nomination. Waikato's Seamus Whalley and Bowyn Morgan, of Canterbury, are others who should advance from the preliminary contests.

Defending lightweight titleholder Angus Donaldson, of Manawatu, looks to have a stranglehold on the Parisan Cup, with defending heavyweight champion Yamiko Chinula looking the goods in his division.

One division that traditionally produces plenty of punching action is the light welterweights.

Five of the six entries for the 64kg category look genuine championship contenders.

Defending champion Anthony Taylor, of Bay of Plenty, has seen little action in recent months, with last year's runnerup Daniel Parkin well placed to make a winning bid for the gold medal.

There are four entries in the light heavyweight division, which looks to be a contest between last year's finalists: defending champion Zigzag Wallace and Reece Papuni who should have a battle royal when they meet during the championship.

- NZPA