Boxing: Bentson on target at Oceania champs

1.00pm

Kahukura Bentson has given New Zealand the best possible start at the Oceania amateur boxing championships in Tonga.

The Aucklander demolished Fiji's Vetala Latenacolo in their welterweight division bout yesterday.

He was the only New Zealander to enter the ring on the opening day of the championships.

After three eight counts were applied the contest was stopped in round one in favour of Bentson.

The real test for Bentson, who is considered a genuine gold medal prospect, will be tomorrow when he meets Australian No 1 Daniel Geale in the quarterfinals.

Five New Zealand female boxers will fight for gold medals after going directly through to the finals.

Stephanie Perry, of Christchurch, Odette van der Meer, of Palmerston North, Kelly Halling, of Tauranga, Daniella Smith, of Auckland, and Hamilton's Pono Rangi give New Zealand plenty of opportunity for gold medal success.

One fighter in action for New Zealand tomorrow is Junior Talipeau in the middleweight division.

Talipeau, who holds a New Zealand passport and is ranked No 2 in New South Wales where he resides, made the New Zealand team after crossing the Tasman to compete in the Oceania trials.

- NZPA