Boxing duo show potential in bouts

Two River City Boxing Club fighters went to war in the Hutt Valley at the weekend returning home with mixed results.

Coach Ivan Lacy said in just his second fight 18-year-old Andrew Housman revealed he was a boxer with "real potential", despite being on the wrong side of a split decision to Petone's Matthew Vanderhaust, a fighter two years' his senior with vastly more experience.

"There were some who thought Andrew should have won, but in the end he lost in a split decision.

"It was a tough fight against an older and more experienced fighter, but Andrew showed guts and determination - he's a boxer with real potential," Lacy said yesterday. "This was only his second fight that went right to the wire.

"His first fight was also against a more experienced boxer and he won that with a TKO - he's going places."

Meanwhile, 26-year-old Alex Pehi showed he also had potential, winning his three two-minute round bout against Pacific Islander A'Lealea who was making his first New Zealand appearance.

"Lealea has had a lot of fights in the islands, although they wouldn't tell us how many.

"Alex won the bout with a unanimous decision. It was hard fight and it was good to see Alex come out on top.

"He's been off the scene for about three years because of a lifestyle choice, but he's back now," Lacy said.