Boxing: Pownceby's Athens nomination may be reconsidered

1.00pm

Boxer Soulan Pownceby's future at the Athens Olympics may be reviewed after the public furore created by his selection.

Pownceby was jailed for four years for the manslaughter of his five-month old daughter in 1995 and several assault charges followed his release from jail.

He has had no convictions for four years and his selection as the sole New Zealand boxing representative in the middleweight division was announced yesterday by the New Zealand Olympic Committee.

However, the announcement created a vigorous public debate on whether a person with a manslaughter conviction should represent the country at an Olympic Games.

Now Boxing New Zealand says it may reconsider its earlier decision to nominate him.

Boxing New Zealand chairman Keith Walker told NZPA today the public response to the selection announcement was "not good" and he expected the executive of Boxing New Zealand to meet soon to discuss it.

"We will probably have another meeting today, possibly a conference call tonight if we can arrange it, to discuss what the ramifications are and what response we have been having."

He expected to talk to Barry Maister, the secretary general of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, before he discussed the issue with his executive.

When asked if there was a suggestion Boxing New Zealand might withdraw its nomination of Pownceby for Athens, Mr Walker replied: "Not at the moment, no."

Asked if that was a possibility, he said: "I don't know. On the evidence we have now I am not too sure how the executive will look at it. We will certainly have to discuss it."

Mr Walker said the executive considered Pownceby's manslaughter conviction when it originally nominated him for Olympic selection.

"That was 10 years ago (the conviction) and the discussion was that he had paid his penalty for it and he was quite adamant he had turned his life around and he wanted to go forward."

However, he said Pownceby was not very communicative and was reluctant to discuss the case.

He said the executive members may now have a different viewpoint after hearing the public debate.

Justice Minister Phil Goff said today many people were uncomfortable about the Olympic Association's decision to send Pownceby to the Olympics and he shared that discomfort.

Pownceby had committed a serious offence and the question was when he could leave that behind him.

"The truth is they can never leave that behind them entirely. A life was lost," Mr Goff said.

"I think (with) his past conduct that (he) most certainly should not be seen as a role model. If he has turned his life around then that may be a more positive thing."

Mr Walker was asked if it was right for Boxing New Zealand to respond to public opinion and take it into account.

"It may well be."

He said Pownceby was not being sent to Athens as a role model, even though he may be considered as a role model by some.

"Boxing New Zealand, at no stage, in any part of their criteria, do they talk about role models."

He said the entire issue disturbed him.

"His crime I don't condone in any way. However, we have been through this issue and have looked at it and thought, well okay, Soul is remorseful about this whole scenario and we are giving him the opportunity to turn it around. That is what I believe," Mr Walker said.

Pownceby, who was charged under the surname of Rikihana, was found guilty by a jury in the High Court in Christchurch in August 1995.

The Crown alleged the baby's injuries, which included severe head injuries, cracked ribs and bruised abdomen, were caused by a physical assault by Rikihana.

The baby had been left alone with Rikihana on October 19, 1994, while his partner went out to get some dinner.

While she was gone, Rikihana rushed next door to call an ambulance, telling the 111 operator and ambulance staff he had gone into the baby's room to find the baby was not breathing.

Hospital staff noticed severe bruising about the left side of the baby's forehead and there appeared to be bleeding from behind her left eye.

Rikihana told police he had accidentally dropped the baby when she was in the shower with him.

He was sentenced to four years' jail.

His lawyer, Mark Callaghan, said at the time his client had had a tragic upbringing, including violence against him by his older brother.

Callaghan told the court Rikihana's sister had been murdered by her partner in 1990, the incident being a blow to Rikihana, who was close to her.

A psychologist's report at the time said Rikihana needed therapy to counter the effects of his childhood.

Justice Williamson (now deceased) said it was apparent Rikihana was a person of potential who had excelled in sports and athletics while at high school.

Mr Callaghan said last night Pownceby had "definitely" struck him as someone who would be able to rehabilitate himself, and "I think he has done marvellously".

"He's certainly turned his life around if he has been picked for the Olympics," he said. "He always gave me that impression of someone who could achieve. He's done his time and has rehabilitated himself.

"He deserves the chance to get on with his life. Why should he not represent New Zealand?"

He said it would be morally wrong to penalise someone who had rehabilitated himself.

Phil Shatford, who will coach Pownceby at Athens and who has been his personal coach for a year, said the boxer deserved to be at the Olympics.

"Sport has helped him out of the past," he said. "He's on the right track now, and I believe he warrants his place in the team.

"If he hadn't fronted up on The Road to Athens (television special) and told of his past, he probably wouldn't have been in this situation.

"They always say honesty pays, but on this occasion I'm not sure."

Shatford said Pownceby had to declare any convictions in paperwork provided to the NZOC.

"I've had him in New Zealand teams for the last four years, and have never had a problem with him," he said.

"To break the guy's heart now would be terrible."

Pownceby said last night he had made a lot of sacrifices to achieve a high level in his sport.

"I've turned away from gangs and all that kind of stuff, and it's not easy for anyone in the situation that I was in," he said.

He recognised some people might have good reason to oppose his participation "but I've got to focus on the positives".

NZOC secretary general Barry Maister said today he supported Pownceby's selection.

The Athens Olympics run from August 13 to August 29.

- NZPA