Boxing: Team announced for Oceania championships

Twenty four New Zealand boxers were named yesterday for the Oceania championships in Taupo in April.

They include a team of eight women led by Auckland's Melanie Horne, who won a bronze medal at the inaugural women's world championships in the United States in November.

It is the first time women's boxing is being staged at Oceania level.

Gold medal prospects among the men include Auckland's Daniel Codling and Kahukura Bentson, both who won gold at last year's championships in Fiji.

The recent Australian domination in Oceania ended in Fiji where they won four gold and New Zealand three and Samoa two. Fiji, American Samoa and Tahiti also won gold medals.

Organiser expect 13 countries to compete in Taupo from April 8-13.

NZ team for Oceania championships in Taupo in April.-

Men.-

57kg: N. Lopex (Canterbury).

60kg: J. Tipace (Auckland).

63.5kg: D. Headifen (Wellington), A. McKenzie (Auckland).

67kg: D. Codling (Auckland), B. Milner (Canterbury).

71kg: K. Bentson (Auckland), J. Scully (Canterbury).

75kg: S. Pownceby (Auckland), J. Tofts (Canterbury).

81kg: S. Taliauli (Auckland); D. Lichtwark (Auckland) or S. Wood (Wellington) to be added to this division.

91kg: S. Cameron (Feilding), A. Shelford (Auckland).

91-plus: P. Mataele (Auckland).

Women.-

48kg: L. Lopez (Canterbur).

54kg: S. Perry (Canterbury).

57kg: T. Speed (Auckland).

60kg: C. Mudford (Auckland).

63.5kg: A. Benton (Canterbury).

67kg: M. Horne (Auckland).

71kg: D. Smith (Auckland), A. Tuitama (Auckland).

91kg: N. Ryburn (Auckland).