Dunedin heavyweight Glenn Craig fought with distinction but returned from the Oceania Championships with a silver, rather than a gold, medal.
The 27-year-old was out-boxed by Australian Squillace Giancarlo, losing the final 12-0.
But his Dunedin-based coach, Eldon Clifton, said Craig gave a good account of himself against a taller and more skilful opponent.
"The comments from the national coach [Billy Meehan] were that he boxed well," Clifton said.
"He was undone by a better opponent on the day. He gave away quite a large reach advantage, which his opponent was able to utilise. He worked hard all the way through the whole fight, and was always in contention, but was unable to land the shots that count."
Craig was part of the 13-strong New Zealand team that contested the tournament in Canberra from August 5-8.
Australia dominated the tournament, winning 13 of the 16 gold medals.
Clifton said Australian boxers tended to be better-resourced, and Giancarlo, for example, had spent six weeks in Cuba preparing for the tournament.
"They have a lot more money spent on them and that is the big difference between New Zealand and Australia today - the financing and the overseas experience they get. It is very hard to compete with that."
