Ask any of the players about Michael Long's boxing ability and they will tell you ""he can go a bit"". And yesterday he had his chance when the Bombers' officially opened the boxing ring in their new gymnasium. Former World Champions Johnny Famechon and Barry Michael were on hand for the official opening before Long stepped into the ring with Australian Flyweight Champion Glen Walsh. The three rounds sparring session was anything but serious with Long playing up to the ringside crowd that included the Essendon players. He did however show that his reflexes and boxing ability hasn't dropped by the wayside.

The official opening was organised by Essendon boxing coach Nick Neophitou - himself a boxer of days gone past. ""I used to box in the TV Ringside days. I won the Victorian Amateur Lightweight Title at my second fight and then turned professional. I had 15 pro fights and won the Australian TV Lightweight Championship,"" Neophitou said.

Neophitou joined the Bombers in 1981 after Kevin Sheedy approached the Australian Boxing Federation looking for someone to work with his players. ""About eight people applied and I was interviewed by Sheeds and Kevin Egan and got the job. I have been here ever since apart from a four year period when I was in Queensland,"" Neophitou said.

In that time Neophitou has seen some players who were very talented when it came to the boxing ring. He rates Michael Long as probably the best but others of days gone by who stood out were Terry Daniher, Roger Merrett, Billy Duckworth and Merv Neagle. Of the current crop, Neophitou says Mark Mercuri stands out with Chris Heffernan and Mark Bolton also very good. ""Really they are all very good because they are natural athletes,"" Neophitou said. ""They are very easy to teach.""