Boxing: Glowing references for 'reformed' Olympics-bound boxer

Boxer Soulan Pownceby will fly out for a training camp in Tahiti today confused at reaction to his Olympics berth because he has previously represented New Zealand at six international tournaments.

Had Pownceby not revealed on the TVNZ show Road to Athens that he had a manslaughter conviction he would have left the country for Athens with little attention.

Pownceby took up boxing after early release from his four-year jail term following the death of his 5-month-old daughter.

Salvation Army boxing academy coach Paul Fitzsimons vouched for Pownceby before a Parole Board hearing and agreed to house him on release, assisting his exit from Paparoa Prison.