Fighter seeking funding support

By MELTON PAIS
PAPUA New Guinea’s Jonathan “Black Gold” Tuhu has called on the State and business houses for funding assistance as he is the country’s only Muay Thai fighter at international level.
Tuhu said he represented PNG in many countries like Lebanon, China, Thailand and Australia using his own money.
“I am engaged in an individual sport and I am doing all I can to put my country on the world map,” Tuhu said.
“I need support from the Government and business houses in the country to meet the costs I incur for trainings and fights.”
Tuhu has his sights set on the World Muay Thai Council Pacific Title in Hong Kong next month.
He will be up against Labanese Amir Naseri who is the WMC 1 Pacific champion.
Before the Hong Kong fight, he will travel to Thailand for a few weeks training.
Tuhu said he was invited by Thailand’s Phuket Top Team MMA Training Centre to take up a year’s training there.
“I will be training with some of the best Muay Thai fighters in Thailand for only a week or two before go for my Hong Kong fight,” Tuhu said.
“I raise my national flag up high in the countries I travel to for fights.”
Tuhu started as a taekwondo and karate student at the age of nine.
He then switched to kickboxing.
The World Kickboxing Federation inter-continental light middleweight champion rose to prominence after winning the title at the Sir John Guise Stadium in June, 2013.
Tuhu then switched to Muay Thai where he travelled to Thailand to train and fight.
He said his Thailand experience had enabled him to develop his Muay Thai skills.
Tuhu said a highlight of his career was when he did a one-kick knockout of an opponent in a bout in Australia in 2014.
The blow was uploaded on YouTube and was described by many as the “knockout kick of the year”.
Tuhu has 21 professional fights under his belt.
Tuhu’s last fight was in Brisbane, Australia, earlier this month where he lost to ISKA Pro South Pacific Title champion Matt Smith on points.
Tuhu said he can be contacted on 73651781 or via email ([email protected]) for funding assistance.