The 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games boxing events were filled with intense competition, remarkable performances, and a fair share of controversy. Held at the 3,000-seat Logan Campbell Centre, Auckland Showgrounds, the boxing matches attracted widespread attention, with athletes from across the Commonwealth competing for glory in the ring. Australia, in particular, had a strong presence in the competition, with several boxers delivering standout performances.
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Boxing at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games: Triumphs, Controversies
Australian Boxers: Medal-Winning Performances
Australia’s boxers delivered strong performances at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games, with several athletes making it to the podium.
Graham ‘Spike’ Cheney was one of the standout performers for Australia, competing in the welterweight division.
On February 2, 1990, Cheney delivered a powerful performance, landing a decisive right hand on his opponent during one of his matches.
Although he narrowly missed out on advancing to the gold medal bout, Cheney’s efforts earned him a well-deserved bronze medal.
Cheney went on to win a light welterweight (63.5 kg) silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and after turning professional, he won the WBC International Welterweight title in 1991. Fight promoter Bill Mordey rated Cheney in the same class as world champions Jeff Fenech and Jeff Harding.
Stefan Scriggins also made a significant impact in the light welterweight division (–63.5 kg), where he fought his way to a bronze medal.
Scriggins’ performance was marked by his technical proficiency and resilience, securing his place on the podium and contributing to Australia’s overall success in boxing at the Games.
Stefan Scriggins went on to represent Australia in the Welterweight division at the 1992 Seoul Olympics.
Justin Rowsell was another Australian boxer who stood out, competing in the lightweight division (–60 kg).
Rowsell fought his way through the competition with a series of impressive bouts, ultimately earning a silver medal.
His silver medal win was one of the highlights for the Australian boxing team, showcasing his skill and determination. Rowsell went on to compete in the lightweight division at the 1992 Seoul Olympics.
The Overall Boxing Competition: High Stakes and High Drama
The order of the Medal Tally for Boxing at Auckland was Canada, Kenya, Uganda and Australia with 1 silver and 3 bronze medals.
The Auckland Commonwealth Games gold medalists in boxing were:
Justin Juuko, Uganda, Light flyweight (– 48 kg)
Wayne McCullough, Northern Ireland, Flyweight (– 51 kg)
Mohammed Sabo, Nigeria, Bantamweight (– 54 kg)
John Irwin, England, Featherweight (– 57 kg)
Godfrey Nyakana, Uganda, Lightweight (– 60 kg)
Charles Kane, Scotland, Light welterweight (– 63.5 kg)
David Defiagbon, Nigeria, Welterweight (– 67 kg)
Richie Woodhall, England, Light middleweight (– 71 kg)
Chris Johnson, Canada, Middleweight (– 75 kg)
Joseph Akhasamba, Kenya, Light heavyweight (– 81 kg)
George Onyango, Kenya, Heavyweight (– 91 kg)
Michael Kenny, New Zealand, Super heavyweight (> 91 kg)
The boxing competition at the Auckland Commonwealth Games was not only about the individual successes of the athletes but also about the intensity and drama that unfolded in the ring.
The event featured a diverse range of competitors from across the Commonwealth, each bringing their own style and strategy to the bouts.
The Auckland Showgrounds provided a fitting backdrop for these high-stakes encounters, with the atmosphere inside the venue charged with excitement and anticipation.
Fans from different nations gathered to support their boxers, creating a lively and passionate environment that added to the spectacle of the event.
Prince Edward and Arthur Tunstall: A Royal Visit and Controversial Moments
On January 26, 1990, Prince Edward visited the boxing competitions at the Auckland Showgrounds, where he was accompanied by Australia’s team manager, Arthur Tunstall, OBE. Tunstall, a well-known figure in Australian boxing, took the opportunity to explain the finer points of the sport to the visiting royal.
Australia’s Arthur Tunstall, OBE, explains some of the finer points of boxing to Prince Edward when they visited the boxing competitions at the Auckland Showgrounds.
However, Tunstall’s time in Auckland was not without controversy, particularly surrounding his suggestion that New Zealand be considered as the 7th and 8th states of Australia.
In 1994 Tunstall famously criticised Cathy Freeman for carrying the Aboriginal flag on a victory lap at the Commonwealth Games in Canada. These ongoing incidents sparked debates about Tunstall’s management style and the cultural sensitivity of his actions, overshadowing some of the sporting achievements of the Games.
Tunstall was the Australian Team Boxing Manager at the 1960, 1968, 1976 and 1980 Olympics; was a Boxing Technical Delegate at the 1988 Seoul, 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics; and a Jury Member of the Boxing Program at the 1984 Los Angeles and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Achievement, Controversy, and Emerging Talent
The boxing events at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games left a lasting legacy for Australian sports and beyond. While the controversy surrounding Arthur Tunstall added a layer of complexity to the Games, the achievements of athletes like Graham Cheney, Stefan Scriggins, and Justin Rowsell showcased the talent and determination of Australian boxers.
A Rising Star Behind the Lens: Jack Atley
The boxing events at the Auckland Commonwealth Games also provided an opportunity for a young teenage photographer named Jack Atley to shine. Atley was seconded from his employer, the Sydney Morning Herald, to work as a gopher for the Australian Associated Press (AAP) photography contingent. On the very first day of the Games, the AAP team found themselves short on photographers, and Jack was assigned to cover the boxing matches.
Despite being thrust into a high-pressure situation, Atley’s results were outstanding. His ability to capture the intensity and drama of the boxing matches through his lens quickly impressed his colleagues. Recognizing his talent, the AAP team assigned Jack the opportunity to carry a camera as photographer for the remainder of the Games, unusual for someone so young and inexperienced at such a major event.
Photos, Stories and Pages in this feature series:
The Ceremony | The Pool | The Track & Field | Jason Statham diving | The Green | The Range | The Ring | The Velodrome | The Picture Editor’s Desk
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