Good Signs for Australian Olympic Hopefuls in Trans-Tasman Boxing

Australia has had a narrow 5-4 win over New Zealand in the inaugural Trans-Tasman Boxing Championships in Auckland.

The Championships featured boxers from both countries who will be vying for Olympic selection later this year, including Australia’s Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Joe Goodall, and New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist, David Nyika.

Both Goodall and Nyika posted wins on Friday night, as did Australian Olympic hopefuls Kristy Harris and Caitlin Parker.

Goodall was made to work hard in his men’s super heavyweight battle with Patrick Mailata, with the New Zealander appearing to be on top early.

But Goodall had the greater stamina, and was able to take advantage of a fading Mailata to post a unanimous points win.

Nyika, one of the stars of Oceania boxing, also won a points decision over Victoria’s Jason Whately, who will be boxing for Australia at next month’s Asia/Oceania Olympic qualifiers.

19-year-old Caitlin Parker once again impressed, this time outpointing New Zealand’s Lani Daniels.

Six days earlier Parker secured her spot on the Australian World Championship and Olympic selection squad by beating Commonwealth Games athlete, Kaye Scott, in Adelaide.

Her Australian teammate, Kristy Harris, was once again impressive in the 51kg division, scoring a dominant win over Bridgette Morton, while Will Moses recovered from a shaky start to wear down New Zealand’s Richie Hadlow in the 64kg division.

Australia’s other win came from last-minute team addition, Campbell Somerville, who was called into the squad this week after Commonwealth and World Championship boxer, Daniel Lewis, failed to make weight.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Shelley Watts, was also forced to withdraw after failing to make weight, which lead to a late call-up for Victoria’s Cassie Axon.

Although fighting out of her usual weight division, Axon gave a strong performance against New Zealand’s Alexis Pritchard in the 60kg, before eventually losing in a unanimous points decision.

Olympic hopeful Harry Garside lost a tight points decision to NZ’s Chad Milne in the 60kg division, in one of the closest fights of the night.