JOHN HOYNE with MIKE C RYAN

Australia's five boxers did their best against very strong opposition in the World Youth Championships (Under 19) on Jeju Island, South Korea in the week of 14 to 20 June. Their conduct in the ring was excellent. All showed good sportsmanship in defeat.

Bantamweight from Queensland, Corey McConnell, a last minute selection, finished his match 16-all against Holst Hodoz of Hungary, but a computer countback gave it to Holst 71-50.

Light-flyweight from NSW, David Browne, not long out of cadet class, was beaten first up by Ouballi Nordine of France.

A stout battle was put up by fair-haired Queensland middleweight, Luke Garrett He fought it out to the third round with Joe Green of the United States before losing on the whistle, 22-2. Green won the silver medal against Demetri Tchudinov of Russia, 38-27.

Canberra schoolboy Dennis Arthur saw out the distance manfully against light-heavyweight, Bekumov Kamaldin. The Kazakh won 48-21, but later lost to Daniel Price of England.

Lightweight Brendon Wilson of Queensland (his dad Mark Wilson shared trainer duties with Don Abnett) gave Eamonn Thouhey of Ireland a good tussle, won by Ireland 24-9. Eamonn lost to Alekseev of Russia next bout.

Amazing Amir Khan

Star of the week was England lightweight,Amir Khan, who was already in the Great Britain team for Athens.
This 17 year old opened with a win 20-0 in the first round over a Taipeh Chinese. Khan beat the Cuban ace Hernandez 21-6, and beat the Kazakh, Darkhan 36-20. His wonderful slipping of punches was delightful to see. In the semi-final, within seconds, Khan laid out Alexis Vastine of France for minutes with an explosive right over the top.
"The computer said 3-0," said Australian team manager, John Hoyne. "I and others did not see the other two punches!"
Khan's fifth bout in six days won him the final 30-16 over Zokir Artikov, a highly rated Uzbecki.

"It would be great to see Khan in Australia in the Youth Commonwealth Games boxing at Bendigo starting 29 November this year," John Hoyne said.

Before that, Amir Khan could be Olympic Games champion. "This unassuming boxer dazzles the eye. It's 1991 Sydney, all over again. Konstantin Tszyu, amateur world champion."