Fresh coverage of boxer's violent history

The controversy that has dogged New Zealand Commonwealth Games boxer Soulan Pownceby since his selection for the Olympics in 2004 has resurfaced across the Tasman, with the Daily Telegraph newspaper carrying details of his troubled past.

Pownceby, 29 and competing in the 81kg division at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment in 1995 for the manslaughter of his five-month-old daughter.

Since being released, he has other convictions for violence but has said he has turned his life around.

Boxing New Zealand chairman Keith Walker told the newspaper Pownceby had been dealt with by the judicial system and was free to represent his country.

"He is deeply remorseful for what happened," Walker said.

"He has done his time, so who are we to stand in judgment of him? Soul has made a fresh start and kept his nose clean and I don't see any reason why he would change that now."

- NZPA