Boxing coming of age in the River City

GOOD SPORT: Whanganui boxer Jesse Malcolm receives the Pat White Trophy for sportsmanship from River City Boxing stalwart Fred Meredith the club's first amateur tournament in five years on Saturday.

The Rivercity Boxing Club Whanganui came of age at the weekend hosting its first amateur tournament at the new gym at the Kaierau Country Club.

Club manager Sandra Tofa said two clubs from Palmerston North, seven from the Wellington region, two from Taranaki and one each from Feilding and Taupo helped christen the new premises.

Two cups were up for grabs - the Hayward Challenge Cup for scientific boxing and the Pat White Trophy for the best sportsman.

The Hayward Cup it went to Wainuiomata's Manawa Ramert while the Pat White Trophy stays at home after Jesse Malcolm claimed it. Both were first time boxers who went all three rounds.

Malcolm's bout especially was one of the better on the night.
"Five of our boys had fights with wins going to Malcolm boys, Jesse and Judah, who won by TKO," Tofa said.

"Our young Majer Cook, who was quite a bit shorter than his opponent, took his first round with some good body shots, unfortunately his opponent put an 8 count on him in the second round, Majer finally lost in the third round. He is an up-and-coming boxer with potential."

Tofa said Brendon Wallace had his first fight, but because his paperwork didn't arrive in time he fought an exhibition bout and won.

"The toughest fight of the night was our elite boxer Raymond Marshall up against New Zealand champion Latu Talu from the Billy Graham Gym in Naenae.

"Raymond gave it his very best coming up short against a tough opponent."
Tofa said boxing had gone from strength to strength since the club set up shop at Kaierau and Saturday night's action marked the first amateur tournament in the River City is five years.

"We would like to thank everyone for coming and making it a fantastic night," Tofa said.