KIWI BOXERS WIN FOUR GOLDS IN DARWIN

The New Zealand Boxing team will return home from the 2011 Arufura Games in Darwin, with a record tally of Gold Medals.

The four Gold Medals won by the Kiwi boxers, surpasses the performances of the 1997 and 2005 teams in Darwin, where three gold medals apiece were won.

Young Kiwi Super Heavyweight Joseph Parker, continued to show that he is a world-class boxer, stopping both opponents that he met in the Darwin ring. In the Final he had little trouble with Emile Gineate from French Polynesia, with the referee ending the contest in the first round.

The Middleweight division was an all New Zealand affair, with Joe Blackbourn and Nick Charalpampous making the final, after defeating Australian opponents in the semi-finals. Blackbourn, who is a multiple New Zealand National champion took out the bout on points from his game Kiwi opponent, winning 31-19.

Light Heavyweight Sam Rapira, who had caused the upset of the tournament in defeating the Commonwealth champion on his way to the final stanza, faced an Australian International for the Gold Medal. While Rapira put up a brave performance, Damien Hooper who was representing Queensland, was given a 21-9 points decision.

Hugely experienced women’s Lightweight Alexis Pritchard, added to her gold medal collection, with victory against Indian boxer Pinki Jangra by way of disqualification in round three.

Deana Stephenson, showed that the future of New Zealand women’s boxing is in good hands, when she won her first International Gold Medal. Facing Nancy Bifera in the Welterweight class, Deana worked hard to secure a 8-4 points win.

While the two New Zealand Light Flyweight and Flyweight women’s boxers, finished on the wrong end of the judge’s decisions, they were both right in their fights to the end.

Light Flyweight Siona Fernandez lost to Indian boxer Pinki Jangra 18-13, with Lloyds Scully also right in her bout before losing a relatively narrow 15-10 decision.

New Zealand Arufura Games Finals Results

Men

Super Heavyweight: Joseph Parker defeated Emile Gineate (French Polynesia) RSC R1

Middleweight: Joe Blackbourn defeated Nick Charalpampous 31-19

Light Heavyweight: Sam Rapira lost to Damien Hooper (Queensland) 21-9

Women

Welterweight: Deana Stevenson defeated Nancy Bifera (NT) 8-4

Lightweight: Alexis Pritchard defeated Meena Rani (India) Disqualification

Flyweight: Lloyds Scully lost to Selena McPhee (WA) 15-10

Light Flyweight: Siona Fernandez lost to Pinki Jangra (India) 18-13

Barry Leabourn Boxing NZ