New Zealand boxing hits all time low.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 10 Feb 2006, 06:45

Officials defend killer's selection

By Grantlee Kieza
February 8, 2006

OFFICIALS from both sides of the Tasman have defended the selection of a convicted child killer in the New Zealand boxing team for next month's Commonwealth Games.
Soulan Pownceby, 29, is regarded as one of the Kiwis' main hopes for a boxing medal in Melbourne but while he looks to have a bright future in the sport he has a horrific past.

In 1995 Pownceby was sentenced to four years' jail for the brutal killing of his five-month-old daughter Jeanette.
After his release in 1998 there were four more assault convictions, including one involving a woman.
A court heard his baby girl, named after Pownceby's mother who had died of cancer, was subjected to a short, brutal life of abuse and neglect.

She was healing from six fractured ribs when Pownceby, then 19, killed her. An autopsy showed the baby girl had a cracked skull and her brain had split.

Evidence at Pownceby's trial described Jeanette as malnourished with wasting buttocks and thighs.
She weighed barely more than her 3kg birth weight and had scabies.
The court also heard how Pownceby had shaved off his daughter's eyebrows a few days before her death.

But yesterday Keith Walker, the boss of amateur boxing in New Zealand, told The Daily Telegraph that Pownceby, who fights in the 81kg division, 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."

On the night of October 19, 1994, while her mother was out getting takeaway food, baby Jeanette was fatally injured at Pownceby's Christchurch home.
An ambulance was called after Pownceby ran next door to get help, saying he had found the baby in her cot not breathing. Jeanette died in hospital. The newspaper death notice said she was a "dearly loved daughter of her proud parents".

But a post-mortem showed the tragic infant had suffered horrendous injuries. Pownceby was arrested and charged with murder.
He told police he had accidentally dropped Jeanette in the shower but during his trial changed his story, claiming she had fallen on to the wooden arm of a sofa. He was found guilty of manslaughter.

Emerging from prison, he took his mother's maiden name, Pownceby, and was paroled to live with a Salvation Army boxing academy coach. He later converted to Catholicism and - according to boxing officials in New Zealand - turned his life around from one of drugs, violence and gang culture.

But his selection for the 2004 Athens Olympics sparked outrage among women's groups. At the time a tearful Pownceby apologised for the horrible crime and accepted responsibility for what he had done.
"I am sorry and I'm just trying to be the best person I can be," he told a national TV audience.
He said representing his country was a chance to make something of his life.

"If I don't go to the Games I have nothing," he said. "I did things which were terribly wrong. I can only go forward. I can't change the past. I wish I could but I can't."

http://foxsports.news.com.au/common/ima ... 659,00.jpg

The Daily Telegraph

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 10 Feb 2006, 07:14

There is talk that he may not be allowed entry into Australia.

Freiheit · Post by **Freiheit** » 10 Feb 2006, 07:43

Wasnt there the same talks before the olympics where he lost his first round match.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 10 Feb 2006, 07:54

on another note I see Wales' Aaron Thomas (son of footballer mickey) defeated english welter champion Somebody Denton in the semi finals of the four nations, he later went on to loose to the irish lad although claims dent's badly hurt his ribs. Good form going into the commonwealth games, could be a medal hope for Wales.

Sweet P · Post by **Sweet P** » 10 Feb 2006, 09:47

He shouldn't be let in the country, How the fornicate can he be out in 4 years for killing a 5 month old, this is bullshit and the New Zealand boxing team should be ashamed.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 10 Feb 2006, 12:28

4 Years for a crime like that does seem excessively lenient.

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 10 Feb 2006, 12:50

Frankly this is one boxer who, if he got killed in the ring, I’d feel quite happy about it.

Shirow · Post by **Shirow** » 10 Feb 2006, 14:51

Once someone has served their time that should be it. So you shouldn't really criticise the NZ boxing team. But such a short sentence is disgusting.

BTW who is it that this guy reminds me of? Is it Mike McCallum?

deadpan · Post by **deadpan** » 10 Feb 2006, 22:07

Obviously his offences are deplorable, but he has served his time and accordingly should be allowed to get on with his life. There is such a thing as rehabilitation.

Or does the Littlejohn mindset dictate this forum?

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 11 Feb 2006, 07:32

deadpan wrote:Obviously his offences are deplorable, but he has served his time and accordingly should be allowed to get on with his life. There is such a thing as rehabilitation.

Or does the Littlejohn mindset dictate this forum?

Well, there are limits - who the hell would want this guy on the national team, representing the country? Imagine if the f***er actualy wins it...hip hip hooray

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 11 Feb 2006, 07:34

deadpan wrote:Obviously his offences are deplorable, but he has served his time and accordingly should be allowed to get on with his life. There is such a thing as rehabilitation.

Or does the Littlejohn mindset dictate this forum?

I agree he has been punished for it so he should be able to get on with his life.