Soulan Pownceby
Soulan James Pownceby (né Soulan James Rikihana, born May 4, 1975 in Christchurch) is a New Zealand Boxer who has garnered considerable controversy during his boxing career. Despite an earlier conviction for killing his five month old daughter, Pownceby gained selection to the 2004 New Zealand Olympic Team, and the 2006 New Zealand Commonwealth Games team.
Abuse & Manslaughter of Jeanette Rikihana
On 19 October 1994, Pownceby killed his five month old daughter Jeanette Rikihana. Despite claiming to Police that he had dropped her in the shower, the post-mortem revealed "horrendous injuries - severe bruising to the head, including a cracked skull, and internal bruising."[1]
Pownceby was charged with murder, however the jury at his murder trial ruled that he was not guilty of murder but was guilty of manslaughter. Powceby was sentenced to four years in jail.[2]
Following his release in 1998, Pownceby converted to Catholicism.[1]
Violent Assaults
Following his release from jail in 1998, Pownceby was convicted of four violent assaults during the period 1998 to 2000.[3]
One of these assaults was committed against an unnamed woman.[3]
2004 Olympic Games
Following considerable media coverage and controversy, Powceby's selection to the 2004 New Zealand Olympic team was backed by the New Zealand Olympic Games Committee.[3]
Pownceby travelled to Athens via Singapore after the American Government denied him a visa, preventing him from travelling with the rest of the New Zealand Olympic team.[4]
Pownceby was comprehensively defeated in the third round by Turkish boxer Ihsan Tarhan. The loss eliminated him from further competition.[5]
2006 Commonwealth Games
Despite objections from the Australian Prime Minister John Howard, Powceby was granted a Visa to enter Australia and compete at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.[6]
Pownceby was heavily defeated in his first bout. Losing 33-19 on points to Canada's Glenn Hunter. The loss eliminated him from further competition.[7]
References
- ^ a b Devereux, Monique (23 June 2004). "Faded Remains of a Short Life". NZ Herald.
- ^ "Offender Database". Sensible Sentencing Trust.
- ^ a b c "Officials Back Killer Boxer". NZ Herald. 23 June 2004.
- ^ "Convicted baby killer named to Kiwi Olympic team". ABC News. 21 June 2004.
- ^ "Controversial Fighter Loses". BBC Sport. 14 August 2004.
- ^ "Pownceby in trouble again". TVNZ. 18 March 2006.
- ^ "Pownceby Out In First Round". ABC News. 19 March 2006.