The resurgence of Boxing New Zealand International success, continued at the China Open International tournament, held in Guiyang, China last week. The Chinese Open tournament drew boxers from throughout Asia, as it was a stepping-stone for male and female boxers chasing berths at the 2012 Olympic Games.

 

Following hard on the heels of four Gold Medals at the Arufura games held in Darwin, Australia during May 2011, a small quality team participated in the China Open.

 

Young Super Heavyweight sensation Joseph Parker, continued his dramatic rise up the World Amateur standings, with further Gold Medal success. Parker opened his Chinese campaign in sensational style, stopping Iderbat Davaalkhagva from Mongolia.

 

In the Gold Medal contest he was opposed by Ospanov Doszham from Kazakstan. The Kiwi was far from overawed in his bout against the Asian boxer, and took the fight to his opponent from the opening bell.

 

Joseph’s reward was to have his hand raised aloft in victory by way of a six point winning margin. This was Josephs second International Gold Medal in less than a month, following on from winning the Arufura Games Super Heavyweight title.

 

Another New Zealand male boxer to put on a sterling performance, was comebacking Middleweight Joe Blackbourn. Joe made sure that his bout with Muhumad Fairus Azwan from Malaysia, wasn’t left in the judge’s hands, with the referee stopping the contest in the Kiwi boxer’s favour.

 

The Hutt Valley Middleweight was just three points away from advancing to the medal rounds, when he lost a quarterfinal bout 14-12, in a match-up with a Chinese Taiwan boxer.

 

Welterweight Bowyn Morgan was unfortunate to draw a World Championship medallist in his first bout. While Bowyn wasn’t intimated he was on the wrong end of a 29-6 decision.

 

Light Heavyweight Reece Papuni also gave his all, before tasting a 17-9 points loss to a South Korean boxer.

 

There was plenty of joy in the New Zealand camp on the opening day, when Siona Fernandes emerged from a close contest against Lee Chin Fen from Team China, with a 9-6 points victory.

 

Siona showed her huge progress in the last twelve months holding Xu Shiqi to a 12-5 points decision. Eske Dost bowed out in her first contest being beaten by Liu Chang from Team China 14-4.

 

A select New Zealand team will now focus on the Presidents Cup in Jakarta in July, before heading for the AIBA World Championships in October. A top eight finish at the World Championships, for any Kiwi boxer, will earn a berth in the 2012 Olympics.