honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, October 2, 2007

ISLE FILE
Hawaii boxer drew in title bout

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i-born boxer Eileen Kuwaye Olszewski's itinerary for last month's visit to Rovigo, Italy, was built around just one thing: defeating Stefania Bianchini for the WBC title. But that plan was put on hold — literally, according to Kuwaye Olszewski's manager David Selwyn — by questionable defensive tactics by Bianchini.

"(Bianchini) started holding her once Eileen got in a few good shots," Selwyn said. "The rules of boxing state that you cannot hold your opponent, but she did that all night and the referee didn't penalize her."

The match was ultimately ruled a majority draw, with judges scoring the fight 95-95, 95-95 and 93-97.

An Advertiser story after the match incorrectly reported that Kuwaye Olszewski suffered a loss.

Bianchini retained her title while Kuwaye Olszewski remains undefeated at 4-0-1.

"People questioned whether I was ready for a title fight because I'd only had four (professional) fights, but I think I proved myself," said Kuwaye Olszewski, who won three national titles and three Golden Gloves championships as an amateur.

Selwyn said the judges were fair in the scoring of the match, but he took issue with the referee for not issuing a warning against Bianchini.

"If you give a warning, the next time she does it, he can deduct a point," Selwyn said. "If that happened, Eileen would have been the winner on two of the three judges' scorecards."

Given the close decision and the questionable performance of the referee, Kuwaye Olszewski said she is hopeful that she will get another shot at Bianchini.

— By Michael Tsai


VOLLEYBALL

HILO STREAK ENDS

Jackie Randolph had 24 kills and 14 digs as Cal State East Bay defeated Hawai'i-Hilo, 30-19, 30-26, 30-27, yesterday in a non-conference match at Hayward, Calif.

Lauren Massa added 37 digs for the Pioneers (17-2), who are ranked 12th in NCAA Division III.

Josimara Pinheiro had 10 kills and 12 digs, and Laura Rodriguez contributed 36 digs for the Division II Vulcans (9-5), who saw their six-match winning streak snapped.

Hilo plays at Cal State Stanislaus tonight.