Boxing: Venue change cuts boxers' prep time

By PETER JESSUP

New Zealand's Olympic boxing hopefuls will suffer from a shortened preparation for their last qualifying tournament, with details of the Oceania championships completed only in the past couple of days.

Oceania president Arthur Tunstall yesterday shifted the tournament to Canberra after the Samoan Government's refusal of financial backing for the event, which had been set down to tkae place in Apia on May 14.

The Kiwi team have had their training camp cut by three days.

A strong contingent of 16 has been named, all knowing they have to win gold in Canberra in order to go on to Sydney.

Best hopes of making Sydney 2000 are heavyweight Garth da Silva, middleweight Lance Bryant, welterweight Trevor Shailer and lightweight Ramil Abubot.

The draw in the lightweight division could be crucial for New Zealand, with Whakatane's Kololo Fiali the Oceania champ but Abubot with the better recent record.

From left field is Irishman Tom Fitzgerald, who represented that country three years ago but is seeking a place in the New Zealand team. Fitzgerald, a mid-20s light-middleweight, has been training in Auckland at national coach John McKay's gym.

McKay has indicated he would provide backing and sponsorship as the Irishman seeks residency.

The team go into camp at the Poenamo Hotel on the North Shore on May 13 and leave on May 17 for the Canberra fights, which start on the evening of May 19.

New Zealand will also send three judges and three referees to the Oceania tournament, with Boxing New Zealand chairman Keith Walker to join the judicial panel.

The team for Canberra: Heavyweight, Angus Shelford, Auckland, Star Tauasi, Auckland, Garth da Silva, Canterbury; light-heavyweight, Liam Hall, Timaru, Daryl Lichtwark, Auckland; middleweight, Lance Bryant, Masterton, Stephen McIver, Canterbury; light-middleweight, Tom Fitzgerald, Auckland, Emmett Gradwell, Auckland; welterweight, Trevor Shailer, Wellington, Daniel Codling, Auckland; light welterweight, Harley Edmondson, Auckland; lightweight, Ramil Abubot, Auckland, Kololo Fiaui, Whakatane; featherweight, Jo Jo Tipace, Auckland; bantamweight, Michael Newton, Canterbury.