Boxing in Bulolo

By HENRY MORABANG
THE township of Mumeng in Bulolo, Morobe, will come alive when boxers and Bulolo show goers converge on the colonial mining town this weekend.
Bulolo Boxing Association president Kevin Sam confirmed that 18 provincial boxing teams would attend the three-day boxing tournament from Oct 26-28.
The tournament will not only see the country’s best talent slugging it out for national honours but provinces have also indicated they will include the PNG Games fighters in their teams to give them exposure and to help prepare them for next month’s games in Kokopo, East New Britain.
 The first two teams to arrive were Southern Highlands and Eastern Highlands.
Sam thanked local MP Sam Basil and the National Gaming Control Board for sponsoring the Sam Basil Cup which goes to the association that wins the most gold medals.
He commended PNG Amateur Boxing Union president John Avira for giving Bulolo hosting rights.
Bulolo beat Kairuku in its bid to host the championship during the last event in Vanimo, Sandaun last year.
PNGABU technical adviser and national coach Joe Aufa is in Mumeng to assess the BBA’s preparation.

Kevin, the brother of former PNG champion John Sam said the people in the district and Mumeng town would be treated to two events – boxing championships and the Bulolo show – and encouraged show goers and boxing fans to enjoy the weekend activities.
Teams confirmed to attend are Western Highlands, Southern Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Wewak, Rabaul, NIP, NCD, Kairuku, Gulf, AROB, Aitape and Vanimo
Aufa told The National from Mumeng yesterday that he is satisfied with the preparation and he is looking forward for the championships.
“I am very pleased with the support from local MP Sam Basil and also NGCB for the support towards staging of the championships,” he said.
The highlight of the boxing championship would see PNG’s decorated boxer, Jack Willie, appearing for the last time for NCD in Bulolo.
“It would be the last day to see the most decorated boxing champion, Jack Willie, fighting for the last time in the boxing ring,”
Aufa said the veteran of 45 international and 200 local fights, the 33-year old wants to give his best shot before stepping out of the ring.
Willie has 45 international and 200 local fights under his belt in his colorful career which includes 10 years as PNG champion in 49kg division, the gold medal winner in three consecutive Pacific Games, and also gold medalist in three Oceania championships and the quarter finalist in the Commonwealth Games in Athens.