The puncher who wrote poetry
Jimmy Peau admired the legendary Muhammad Ali for his ring craft and his writing ability.
In the lead-up to winning a gold medal at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, Ali’s autobiography The Greatest proved to be a must-read for Peau.
The South Auckland-born boxer’s edition — which is in the safe-keeping of his family — features numerous passages Peau wrote of himself, including the fact he wanted to be a future world champion.
And after winning gold, he also penned his own poem about himself; called Young Rising Star, and named after a New Zealand Herald sports award he had won as a youngster.
Young Rising Star
It all started 20 years past. One of New Zealand’s greatest boxers
Was born at last.
He had been fighting his way Right to the top.
Ever since he was a schoolboy He did not want to stop. There is something funny About the way this boy fights. He plays cat and mouse And then turns out the lights. He knocked out the Canadian, Then he knocked out the Scotsman.
To prove the strength of New Zealand
Was not forgotten.
He floats like a butterfly And stings like a bee,
And that’s why his opponents Went out in round three. This boy was fresh
This boy was new.
The people and boxing fans Called him Jimmy Pugh. The name of this true champion I might as well tell
Is none other than the greatest himself,
Jimmy Peau.
China could be doing New Zealanders a huge favour by preventing the import of our fish exports (NZ Herald February 11). Our fishing resources should feed New Zealanders first.
For a country surrounded by sea, New Zealand should be able to supply its citizens with fresh fish at a reasonable price. I know of only one place in Auckland where I can buy fresh snapper but at $55 a kilogram it is a rare treat.
What are we doing depleting our fish stocks to virtually unsustainable levels by exporting that which should be the birthright of all New Zealanders? By how much do our industrial-scale fishing companies benefit New Zealand anyway, especially as we now know they need to engage hundreds of overseas crew to operate?
Warwick Grey, Epsom.