Tauranga boxer faces big step up

Michael Crosa, pictured here with Hannah Walker, left, and Arian Adlington.

Tauranga Boxing Club amateur boxer Michael Crosa is facing the biggest challenge of his short career in Auckland, when he takes part in the Boxing New Zealand Elite trials.

The purpose of staging the trials at the onset of the new boxing year, is to reset the rankings and re-establish the number one in each of the elite male and female weight divisions.

Crosa is a young man in a hurry in the boxing ring, but the Western Bay of Plenty boxer is facing a huge rise in class at the Elite trials.

The only other entry is current BNZ National Light Welterweight titleholder Tui Vea from Auckland.

Michael is in his first year in senior competition, after a short but sterling career in the age group ranks.

He entered the 2018 BNZ National Youth Light Welterweight division last year, with seven wins from nine bouts.

The Tauranga Boxing Club pugilist had little trouble with his semi-final opponent at the 2018 Nationals, taking out the fight on all five judges' scorecards.

The Western Bay of Plenty young man faced a stern challenge in the Nationals title decider against Jarrod Smith (Kirikiriroa), who had some thirty odd bouts under his belt.

The final result was in doubt up to the final bell, with the Bay of Plenty team boxer getting a hard-fought victory by way of a 3-2 point's decision.

Bay of Plenty Boxing Association Head Coach Chris Walker says after the title decider, Michael has picked up the sport really well and is a good thinker in the ring under pressure.

'He was giving away plenty of experience in Christchurch but bridged the gap with his ability and skills in the ring.”

A good performance, even without getting the judges nod at the Elite trials, could put Michael in the frame for a trip to the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia in April.

It's likely that New Zealand will send North and South Island teams to the Arafura Games, which won't include current national titleholders, opening the door for boxers on the cusp of elite selection to impress the national selectors at the Auckland trials.

Boxing New Zealand Trials 16 February 2019 – Entries

Lightweight (60kg) Michael Crosa (Bay of Plenty) Tui Vea (Auckland)

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