Boxing: Taito retains North Island Golden Gloves crown

Egelani Taito and Jesse Malcolm at the North Island Golden Gloves.

The River City Boxing Club was again able to leave the North Island Golden Glove championships with two titles earlier this month.

Trainer Eddie Tofa took four boxers to the Great Lakes Centre in Taupo, where Egelani Taito, 26, was able to win the 91kg Elite Novice for the second year in a row.

"He had a very tough first bout against a very experienced and open elite from Feilding, but Egelani show good skills to beat him in a 5-0 decision," said Tofa.

"Then he clean up the more bigger and muscular opponent from Napier to take the tittle in the same score 5-0."

Jesse Malcolm, 17, had claimed his division's title last year unopposed, but this year the tournament had an influx of club fighters from South Australia and Victoria.

"For Jesse, tough final against a good Australian boy [who] took the first round and Jesse the second," said Tofa.

"All up to the third but it didn't go our way, that was Jesse's best fight so far."

Trinity Albert won a title in a "walk over" as there was no comparative opposition for her to fight.

"She gets the title without throwing a punch – it was a bit disappointing but that's boxing sometimes," said Tofa.

Clubmate Majre Apiata-Cook lost his semifinal bout.