Fighters ready for islands challenge

 By JACK AMI

THE Ox & Palm kickboxing challenge heat two is creating quite a stir in Kokopo as it will be held at the Vunapope Catholic Diocese Hall on May 11.

This will be the biggest challenge in the New Guinea Islands region and is expected to draw the best fighters.

The PNG Kick Boxing Association confirmed that Bougainville, Kavieng, Kimbe and hosts Rabaul would compete in the day-long el­i­minations.

More than 50 fighters challenge in the elimination and 25 from different weight categories will qualify for the next round.

The fight draw will see fighters competing in the eight-man tournament, which is strictly for the 70-72kg division.

The undercards weigh-in from 54kg-75kg and main undercards from 76-85kg.

The female division will be an op­en category from 60kg-75kg.

“All the four regions will have a very strong team representing their region to challenge each other in the elimination for the winner to qualify for the next heat in Lae,” PNG Kickboxing Association chief executive officer, Stanley Nandex said.

“The host province will have great fighters as well as the Bougainville region, which is expected to dominate the fights.

Nandex said the Ox & Palm Kickboxing Cup concept was to identify talent for the semi-professional level and to provide an opportunity for fighters to climb the world ranking. 

The first heat at the Sports Inn in Port Moresby attracted international attention, with calls for the PNGKBA to host international title fights in on June 1 in Port Moresby.

“My aim is to select next lot of fighters in this heat as we have invitations from all around the world and this is part of the build-up and preparation,” Nandex said.

“I want to thank the sports and community development office and the office of the governor for coming on board to support this initiative.”

He said the heat three for the Momase region was scheduled for June 22 in Lae, followed by heat four for the highlands region on July 13 in Goroka. 

Kokopo organising committee chairman, Emanuel Laplap said his team was prepared to host the event.

He appealed to business houses in Kokopo to support them in making the event a success.