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Sports |
Uphill fight in Samoa
Our boxers struggle
in Oceania challenge
By HENRY MORABANG
LAMANA PNG Boxing team produced mixed
bag of results in the first two days of the Oceania Boxing
Championship in Apia, Samoa.
The first two fighters Jeffrey Koredong and Toksy Seteme lost on
point decision and could not advance to semi finals.
Koredong who started off well on Tuesday night with a RSC decision
against Tioti Rima of Cook Island in the opening fight was
outscored in his second fight against the Samoan Samoa 28-13
yesterday.
PNG captain Toksy Seteme lost to New Zealand champion and
Commonwealth gold medalist Justine Potter in the opening fight.
However, bush material Andrew Opugu started his international
debut on the flying colours when he won his fight against
Metulsela of Fiji on RSC decision. The Bereina stop the Fijian in
the second round and will now move to quarter final to meet a
Samoan fighter.
Meanwhile, PNG Team Management has set their eyes on the lighter
division to rock the Apia National Indoor Stadium when the seven
boxers step into the ring tonight in the semi finals.
The boxers are Jack Willie, Lui Magaiva, Francis Oaike and Eugene
Keto in the men's division while in the women's division, all
three boxers Naomi Sugar Ray, Mary Greg and Georgina Ketonai will
Jack Willie in the light flyweight division will fight Paul Kava
of the Solomon Islands while his teammate Lui Magaiva will take on
another Solomon Islander Hendrik Pitakia.
In the 51kg, Francis Oaike will be fighting against Fred O'Brian
of Samoa. The Bereina boxer said he said ready for meet O'Brian.
He is fully prepared in mind, body and spirit to win the fight.
Eugene Keto will meet Luke Boyd of Australia in the 54kg division.
Keto also qualified to fight semi finals on either today or
tomorrow. .
Ket said he is ready to give his best shot against the Australian.
In the ladies draw, Naomi Arua Sugar Ray - 52kg is ready to prove
her power to Tahitian Lynchia Ufa while Mary Greg - 54kg is ready
to take on Samoan lass Helena Fifita. Both PNG boxers are
confident and will win their fight and go through the final bout
on Saturday.
In the 60kg division, Georgina Ketonai will take on another Samoan
girl on their semi final fight. The Bougainvillean fighter said
she is confident that she can win and march into the finals.
 
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