Boxing: Fighters already assured of bronze

By MARK GEENTY

New Zealand coach Phil Shatford has been hailed as the reason behind the team's potentially best Commonwealth Games in 12 years.

Auckland welterweight Daniel Codling yesterday joined Feilding heavyweight Shane Cameron in the semifinals, and with both guaranteed at least bronze medals, it meant a 50 per cent strike rate for the team of four.

Codling was impressive in dispatching Nigerian Olanrewaju Ekundayo on points, 37-24, to set up a fight with Australian Daniel Geale, who pipped him in this year's Oceania championships final.

The Auckland-based physical trainer, originally from Waiheke Island, has thrived under the coaching of Shatford and credited the no-nonsense Christchurch freezing worker for his present form.

"Phil's been taking us for a couple of years and the boys are really responding well to him. I've got a good bond with him," Codling said.

"We've got a pretty good record together and I'm hoping to even take it up a notch. I think it's 13 or 14 fights for just one loss."

Shatford ensured his 23-year-old charge constantly had his Nigerian opponent on the back foot, and despite receiving a surprise standing eight count in the third round, he was always able to land scoring punches to keep him in front.

New Zealand bagged a solitary bronze, to Garth da Silva, in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and there were two bronze medals in Victoria four years before that.

The last New Zealand Games gold was won by super-heavyweight Michael Kenny in Auckland in 1990, when there were also two bronze medals.

Just 10 New Zealand boxers have made finals in 17 Commonwealth Games since 1930.

Codling said it was no coincidence that Shatford's influence had seen the team lift their game at international level.

- NZPA

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