Boxing: NZ-Aust amateur event a knockout

Blow for blow ... Ryan Scaife (left), of New Zealand, dodges a right thrown by Jack Seabourne, of...
Blow for blow ... Ryan Scaife (left), of New Zealand, dodges a right thrown by Jack Seabourne, of South Australia, in the 69kg youth welterweight division at the Clash of the Tasman amateur boxing event held in Queenstown on Saturday night. Scaife won the bout. Photo: BLAIR PATTINSON.
The inaugural Clash of the Tasman amateur boxing event held in Queenstown on Saturday night has been described as a huge success.

Event organiser Stewart Mitchell said a further event in Australia was being planned, along with another boxing tournament in Queenstown next year.

He described the level of boxing as superb, with Australian David Bad Boy Biddle winning the 64kg elite open title against Aucklander Boaz Peach.

Peach was a late entry, stepping into the breach when the resort's top boxer, Richie Hadlow, had to pull out after breaking his hand in training last week.

Mitchell said even the novices produced extremely competitive fights.

''Everyone stepped up to the plate and found the extra 10% they needed. All our Queenstown boxers won and the crowd was really supportive and responsive.''

The first international bout featured Australian Bailey Seabourne against Kaelen Boyce, of Christchurch.

''Seabourne ... was a real slick boxer against Boyce, who was aggressive and didn't stop pushing and trying. But the other lad was just a bit too sharp for him so the Aussies took that one,'' Mitchell said.

New Zealander Ryan Scaife beat Australian Jack Seabourne.

''They were both landing solid punches and firing within each other's exchanges. It was a really good, competitive boxing match but Ryan won. He got the Fight of the Night [award] - he was outstanding and boxed very well.''

Terry Nickolas took on Kiwi Dan Parkin. While Nickolas was aggressive throughout the fight and landed some harder punches, Parkin took home the win.

Next up, 2015 Nationals silver medallist Ryan Goodes took on New Zealand 60kg champ Chad Milnes. Mitchell said the size difference with this fight was obvious.

''Milnes and Goodes both landed some hard punches - a very competitive fight. While it was close, Milnes took home the win.''

The main event - David ''Bad Boy'' Biddle against New Zealander Boaz Peach, had the perfect start as both men ''gave each other evils, really getting the crowd growing''.

''In the fight, they didn't stop throwing punches. It was very close - that was the fight of the night. Both were aggressive, they gave everything and the crowd responded to that.''

Sporting a black eye yesterday, winner Biddle told the Otago Daily Times his opponent walked into the ring very confident, with an aggressive stare-down. He described him as a ''hard fella'' who kept coming forward and took a few hits from him.

Biddle is confident a boxing match will be scheduled next year between the himself and the injured Richie Hadlow. Australian coach Phil Goodes said the event was a good opportunity for Australians and Kiwi boxers.

''The fights were good matches. It's really good for the boys to come over here to fight. International events can boost confidence and ups experience for the boxers.''

By Louise Scott 

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