HARPO ’ s MARKS
Richard McLaren , the head of the independent investigation commissioned by the sport ’ s world governing body , said in his recent report that a bout manipulation system existed in boxing at the 2016 Rio Olympics .
McLaren said the first of three stages of the International Boxing Association ( AIBA ) investigation looked into the refereeing and judging at Rio , where controversial decisions in certain bouts made the headlines .
The report said a comprehensive study suggested at least nine bouts were suspicious while two bouts caused the system to “ publicly collapse ”.
With Australia ’ s highly-respected Wayne Rose at the helm at the Tokyo Olympics boxing program , everything was cleaner than Howard Hughes ’ hands ( ask your parents ).
Wayne , as the Technical Delegate , was the head honcho throughout the boxing program which involved 286 bouts and men and women fighters representing 81 nations .
The first question I posed to Wayne on his return home from Tokyo , via the Howard Springs quarantine facility in Darwin , was he satisfied with the judging at the 28th Summer Olympics .
Wayne said that on the whole he was delighted with the performances handed in by the referees and judges which ensured a controversy-free Olympic Games .
“ Although , we had to send home a
Wayne Rose reports that the brilliant Cuban , Andy Cruz Gomez ( l ), was the best boxer on show at the Tokyo Olympics . Handy Andy chalked up win number 131 win after 139 outings in the amateur ranks in scoring a split decision win over another classy boxer , American Keyshawn Davis , in the lightweight division gold medal bout .
IMPORTANT UPDATE ON POOLS & GYMS
• Outdoor pools reopened on Monday 27 September 2021 in line with NSW Government guidelines . Bookings are required in advance either online , over the phone or in person at the centre .
• Indoor pools at Blacktown Aquatic Centre and Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton reopened Monday 11 October . Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope ’ s indoor pools reopened 18 October due to planned maintenance works .
• Gyms at Blacktown Aquatic Centre and Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope reopened Monday 11 October with a prescribed capacity based on the 4 sqm rule .
• All Group Fitness classes will be capped at 20 people and advanced bookings are essential .
• Sauna and steam rooms , spas and community sport will remain closed .
• Communal facilities ( showers , change rooms and lockers ) will have a prescribed square metre rule and maximum numbers set in line with the Public Health Orders . couple of judges because of , uh-mm , irregularities in their assessment of boxers in a few of the early bouts ,” Wayne said .
I love boxing – in fact , I could have been anything but for a glass jaw and tears flooding my eyes whenever I copped a whack to the beak !
So instead of toeing the line in the ring , I prefer to sit ringside and watch the pugs punish each other .
I ’ ve been fortunate during my decades in the scribbling game to have met and enjoyed the company of so many wonderful ( and occasionally , scallywags ) people involved in boxing .
The long list includes Bill Mordey , Johnny Lewis , Ray Connelly , Ray Mitchell , Jeff Fenech , Joe Bugner , Jeff Harding , Trevor King , Tommy Burns , Vic Patrick , Charkey Ramon , Kostya Tszyu and Wally Carr .
Charkey , Johnny and I are members of the Les Darcy Club which was formed five years ago by my late , great mate , John Scott , and , until the emergence of COVID-19 lockdowns , we would meet every three months for lunch at Woollahra ’ s Lord Dudley Hotel .
A guest speaker is always organised to entertain club members with yarns about his life spent inside and outside the square ring .
All members are counting sleeps until the easing of lockdown restrictions so we can rock up to the Lord Dudley for our next lunch .
And I have been delighted to have informed my fellow club members that I have been able to rope in Wayne as a guest speaker when our lunches resume .
Wayne ’ s life in boxing has covered all aspects of the sport .
During his career , Wayne has donned the gloves , trained boxers , been third man in the ring , sat ringside judging and developed a reputation as a topflight administrator at state , national and international boxing levels .
I asked Wayne about the experience of organising such a gala event under the COVID-19 restrictions imposed on Japanese residents and visiting sportsmen and women and officials .
“ The Japanese Olympic Committee and the government could not be faulted in how they managed to ensure the games
• Security and signage will be provided at our venues to assist with compliance and conditions of entry .
• The NSW Public Health Order which came into effect Monday 11 October 2021 states that NO unvaccinated adults can enter our recreational facilities and public swimming pools . Please DO NOT try and book or enter if you are NOT fully vaccinated .
• Learn to swim at all Key Venues will resume from Monday 18 October 2021 .
• Parents accompanying their children to swimming lessons MUST be fully vaccinated .
• QR codes MUST be used when entering and exiting our venues .
• The wearing of masks is mandatory . Masks may be removed for swimming and when in the gym but must be worn when moving to and away from the activity .
• Masks MUST be worn during Group Exercise classes .
• When NSW reaches double vaccination doses at 80 % community sport will resume including indoor sport and tennis . went off without a hitch ,” Wayne said . “ They ensured everyone ’ s safety from the moment we landed at the airport , until we were bid farewell – nothing could be faulted .
“ The procedures at the airport when we arrived were just so precise but none of us minded that it took three hours before we boarded the buses to the Olympic village .
“ The Japanese volunteers across every sport were absolutely faultless in everything they did – nothing fazed them as they went flawlessly about their tasks .
“ They showed us nothing but respect – and that was certainly reciprocated by each and every one of us .”
I asked Wayne which of the boxers at the games impressed him the most .
“ Andy Cruz Gomez won Cuba ’ s fourth gold medal at the games when he won 4-1 against the very classy American , Keyshawn Davis , in the lightweight final ,” he replied .
“ Twice previously a world champion at that weight , Andy is great defensively , is fluent on his feet and with his hands , and his counter-punching was exceptional .
“ Andy beat Australia ’ s Harry Garside in a semi-final and Harry was far from disgraced in a performance which earned him a bronze medal – Australia ’ s first medal in boxing since Spike Cheney won silver at the ’ 88 Seoul Olympics .”
Wayne added that all the boxers who represented Australia in Tokyo “ did their country proud ”. As did Wayne Rose !
Former Windsor Wolves junior , Penrith Panthers and North Queensland Cowboys fullback , Lachlan Coote , has ended his three-year association with British Rugby League heavyweights , St Helens , in signing a two-year contract with Hull Kingston Rovers .
Lachlan ’ s tenure with St Helens was highly successful with the club winning
Barrier Rise with
TONY BRASSEL
LACKEEN comes to hand very quickly in her preparations and showed she was ready to rock ‘ n ’ roll on her slashing third in a fast-run 1250m trial at H ’ bury on Oct 18 .
TRANSFORMATION could not have been more impressive when storming home to win a 1000m hit-out at H ’ bury on October 18 . Two trial wins will have him at his peak for his return to the track .
FIRST PEOPLES is an unraced Wandjina 4YO which showed abundant speed and then plenty of fight to kick away again when tackled down the running . Don ’ t miss this bloke .
TRANSLATION is a Godolphin youngster who impressed greatly at the H ’ bury trials on October 18 . He was never out of second gear in a fast run 800m hit-out .
CHAIN OF GOLD showed plenty of early toe and then was very strong at the finish in winning 800m trial in slick time on his home track at H ’ bury on Oct 18 . Ready to win on debut .
three successive Super League grandfinals , the latest last month when his two goals helped his side to a hard-fought 12- 10 victory over Catalans Dragons .
It was the 31-year-old ’ s fourth elitelevel grand final victory , adding to the championship medal he received after the Cowboys beat the Brisbane Broncos in the 2015 NRL decider .
I well remember interviewing the 17-year-old back in 2007 at Penrith Park – or whatever they called in back then , when he was on the verge of breaking into grade footy .
The affable young man was given half an hour off his duties as a groundsman to be interviewed by this master interviewer .
After breaking into grade the following season , I doubt whether Lachlan has ever had to earn a quid jumping on a ride-on mower !
I , like all others who have had the pleasure of crossing his path , have followed his career closely down the years and have been delighted time and time again to see him making a success of playing the game he loves .
Snare another couple of grand finals with HKR why dontcha !
SAD MARKS : The passing of Norm “ Sticks ” Provan , a true legend of rugby league . He ’ s now reunited with two great old mates , Australian second-row partner , Kel O ’ Shea and Arthur Summons . R . I . P you champion .
LOW MARKS : The Tyson Fury-Deontay ( where are the Johns and Bruces of yesteryear ?) Wilder heavyweight title bout . Never in the annals of boxing history have I seen two more inept big men in a world title fight .
DERRY TURN is an unraced Star turn 3YO colt out of the Matthew Dunn stable . Indicated a ton of ability in displaying high speed throughout in easily winning 1010m trial at Lismore on October 17 . Keep an eye out for this bloke . Dunn will probably bring him straight to town in Brisbane or Sydney .
CAPO STRADA was another Godolphin youngster to trial superbly at H ’ bury on October 18 . Restrained early but powered to the line to win 800m trial in fastest time of the session .
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 08 // NOVEMBER 2021 29