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Cherine Henry (Dunedin) misses with a right during her bout with Michelle Blackie (Invercargill) at the Kings and Queens Performing Arts Centre on Saturday night. Henry won the contest, 21-9. Photo by Gerard OBrien. |
Cherine Henry warmed up for the Golden Gloves in Gore later
this month with two wins from two fights at the Otago Boxing
Association annual tournament on Saturday night.
The lanky 31-year-old featherweight (57-59kg) out-boxed Josie
O'Reilly, from Christchurch, to win her opening bout, 15-10.
She returned later in the evening to outclass Invercargill's
Michelle Blackie, 21-9.
Henry fought in Temuka last weekend as well and is trying to
cram in as many fights as she can before the national
tournament in Wellington later this year.
Her goal is to represent Otago at the nationals. Her next
fight is at the Golden Gloves, where she will contest the
South Island title.
A tall and willowy fighter, Henry used her height and reach
to keep her opponents at a safe distance and skipped around
them, landing a series of jabs.
OBA president Colin Falloon said it was not unusual for a
competitor to fight twice in one night but Henry was a fit
boxer and a determined character.
"The way she is going in her weight group, I can see quite a
good future for her," Falloon said.
The night's most anticipated bout between Bowyn Morgan and
Martin Mech did not disappoint.
Mech took Morgan by surprise in the opening round. His
aggressive style put Morgan on the back foot and New
Zealand's No 1-ranked welterweight was drawn into a brawl.
But Morgan responded with some skilful boxing and got the
better of his opponent.
Mech's corner threw the towel in part way through the second
round.
"It was very exciting even though it was just two rounds,"
Falloon said.
Heavyweight Tom Heads (Invercargill) scored the most
convincing knockout of the night. He floored Jason Kainui,
from Christchurch, and the boxer stayed down for more than a
minute.
Heads had to help Kainui from the ring when it was discovered
his opponent had broken his ankle in the fall. An ambulance
had to be called, so it was it quite dramatic.
Falloon said the event was "an absolute success" with the
400-seat venue sold out.
"It was a really great tournament and the interesting thing
for Otago was, out of the 16 boxers fighting, we had nine
wins. I think that shows Otago is coming alive again."
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