Disappointed Pius to fight in February

By BENJAMIN KOITAKA
A PAPUA New Guinean and Indonesian are set to battle for the Indo-Pacific Boxing Association bantamweight (53.52kg) and lightweight (61.23kg) titles next year.
Jimmy Pius is set to fight Indonesian Pattipeilohy Agus for the IPBA bantamweight strap.
The bouts which were supposed to be part of the PNG Professional Boxing Gymnasium card last Saturday but were cancelled after the Indonesian fighters were unable to reach Port Moresby because of visa issues according to the show’s promoter.
The bouts have therefore been deferred to February.
A disappointed Pius said he had trained well for his title fight and was looking forward to sharing a ring with Agus and when told on the day of the fight that he would not be fighting it was a blow.
“I was confident I could win the fight and I had all my family and friends there but I did not happen,” Pius said.
Pius admitted the news he would not be fighting Agus had upset him but he had gotten over and was looking forward to the February show.
Pius, the national super flyweight (52kg) champion, said he would not give up on his goal to fight as a professional.
“I’m looking forward to next year,” the 33-year old said.
PNGPBG president Elvin Wafewa said he was disappointed he could not showcase the fighters but promised to get them to the nation’s capital for the next show.
“It was regrettable that we couldn’t get them over here to fight our boxers,” Wafewa said.
“We did all we could to bring the two fighters across but it didn’t work out.”
Wafewa said he was planning to have them in February’s show.
John Korake claimed the IPBA crusierweight title last Saturday after stopping Ezatullah Kakarin the 9th round.
Wafewa said the issue was with the authorities on the PNG and Indonesia for not granting the boxers a visas to attend the fight.
Agus is now believed to be in Vanimo, West Sepik.