Beni backs Raka

By ROBINSON LEKA
PAPUA New Guinea boxing legend Martin Beni has backed lightweight champion Junior Raka to reignite the proud boxing legacy of the country following the launch of Raka’s rescheduled title fight this month.
Beni said the exploits during his career as a fighter were defining moments for his generation and he had passed the challenge on to Raka to continue the legacy alongside other young boxers.
“I’ve done my part way back in the 1970s but then it probably was not enough at the time,” he said.
“I was No.1 in the Commonwealth and ranked No.10 in the world, which was a good achievement.
“Let’s hope that there’s going to be more for our upcoming boxers like Raka who will be taking on the Filipino and I wish him all the best.
“It’s not an easy thing to tackle with the training but I believe he will win for all of us.”
Raka said it was particularly tough for Papua New Guinean boxers today to break the ranks in professional boxing but he was hopeful of a promising future with his lightweight title bout set for April 25.
“Boxing at the start for me saw me represent PNG as an amateur and fight in the Arafura and Pacific Games,” he said.
“I went as far as the final of the Oceania title to represent the country in the Olympic Games where I lost and ended my hopes of attending the Games.
“That didn’t let me down, I kept my focus on my boxing.
“I went to the Commonwealth Games and after that I decided to turn professional.
“Big thanks to my coach Jamie Pang and the team for helping me since the start of my professional career.”