Boxing: Selection row over Otago team

The Otago Boxing Association has stood by a selection process which will result in three of the province's leading fighters competing for Manawatu at the nationals in Auckland next month.

Unhappy with their non-selection, Cherine Henry, Matt Crawford and Bridget Morton have switched allegiances to fight for Manawatu.

The trio all train at the New Zealand Fight and Fitness Academy in Dunedin and experienced coach and trainer Eldon Clifton, who works at the gym, told the Otago Daily Times the club was disappointed their fighters had missed selection.

"Rather than criticise Otago Boxing, we're entering three of our fighters for Manawatu, which you are allowed to do," Clifton said.

"If you are not selected by your province, you can nominate your fighters under another association."

Two fighters from Fight and Fitness were selected, with Bridgette Sefton and Sam Beck chosen alongside Queenstown's Martin Mech and Mosgiel's Siraya Wilson.

Sefton has pulled out because of her commitments with the Otago Spirit women's rugby team. Beck remains one of the province's leading prospects.

He was eliminated in the opening round last year but has shown big improvements this year and is expected to do well in the youth division.

Mech and Wilson were also worthy selections, Clifton believed. But the experienced trainer was surprised Henry, Morton and Crawford, who he believes are all title contenders, had been overlooked.

"Cherine Henry and Bridget Morton have won South Island titles, Canterbury titles, Southland titles and won the Otago tournaments. They have fought top, reputable fighters and fought the best in the country but weren't selected.

"All I want to be quoted as saying is we are going under an alternative entrance process for the nationals and, if we can win titles, then we speak with actions rather than words."

OBA president Colin Falloon stuck by the association's selection process when contacted for comment yesterday.

"Trainers use whatever criteria they like but they are not the selectors - the Otago Boxing Association is," Falloon said.

"As far as we are concerned ... we picked the best team.

"Every time trainers have got involved, there is this huge bias comes up. Their boxers are the best, if you like. Our selectors are not trainers but we go to all the fights and that is the way we do it. We see things differently and make our decisions accordingly."

Falloon, and fellow selectors Bill Eckhold and Peter George, wanted "boxers who didn't stand back and go defensive".