By PETER PUSAL
RICKSON Yamo has finally put pen to paper signing an agreement with Australian fight promoter Angelo Hyder making official his Feb 22 bout with Brisbane south-paw John Akauola on the New South Wales central coast.
Fighting out of Moresby’s Life Gym Yamo is confident of a good showing and needs to impress Australia’s boxing community with a powerful display.
At a brief meeting in Moresby yesterday Yamo and Manager Ower Illa jointly signed the papers agreeing to terms and conditions set by Hyder and sanctioned by the NSW and Australian professional boxing bodies.
The Yamo camp will be flying down a week before the fight to accustom Rickson with Australian conditions and acquire a boxing license and also to get valuable sparring and gym training before stepping into the ring.
Outlining the plan for the year Illa said, “Once Rickson gets past this first fight we will be looking to make another five bouts for the year and if all goes to plan a state title shot could be a reality come the end of the year”.
Illa is confident and upbeat about Yamo’s prospects, “We are preparing Rickson to be in top shape so that he will get the result. He has the talent and right now we are fine tuning his fight preparations. Things like diet, skills and cardio training and monitoring his weight”.
In Yamo’s corner Manager Illa has assembled a formidable team including trainer and technical advisors Lynch Ipera and Martin Beni, while Kange Lawyers through principal Felix Kange will assist in fight promotions and contractual agreements.
Illa’s own company Tradeworks will manage the youngster’s career and handle all aspects of Yamo’s fistic endeavours.