Boxers upbeat of chances at titles

 By HENRY MORABANG

FOUR Papua New Guinea boxers left yesterday for the Oceania Boxing Confederation championships in Canberra, Australia from Aug 26 to Sept 1.

The team will be led by the 2015 Pacific Games Team PNG boxing squad captain Tom Boga. The team has Charlie Keama, Henry Umings and Jonathan Keama.

Coach Joe Aufa, who is preparing the team for the championships, said he was happy with the training session they had in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, last week.

The team had a one-week camp to prepare for the event. 

Despite not travelling with the team, Aufa said the trip was a just reward for their outstanding performances during the Pacific Games.

Boga said he was confident of giving his best shot after he was nominated one of the boxers to the championships.

“I led the team to a convincing win at the 2015 Pacific Games and I am looking forward to a repeat performance in Canberra,” he said.

Meanwhile, PNG Amateur Boxing Union tournament director Dick Larry said the union was confident the athletes do well.

Larry said the gold medal winners from the tournament would advance to the2016 Rio Olympic Games so the onus was on each fighter.

“It will be every man for himself in Canberra,” he said.