Flash Muay Thai PNG looking at defending Garap’s crown

FLASH Muay Thai Papua New Guinea are planning to arrange for local fighter Thomas Kagili to defend the world title held by the late Lee Henry Garap.
Manager Jerry Sarufa said yesterday that Flash Muay Thai PNG would meet with the World Kickboxing Federation (WKBF) over the proposed arrangement.
Garap held the WKBF world welterweight title which he won back to back in 2016 and 2018.
Sarufa said the belt was now vacant since Garap’s passing on Dec 15 due to a heart attack.
“The world title is vacant by default since Garap’s passing,” he said.
“We want PNG to retain the title which late Lee Garap successfully defended twice.
“Garap was preparing to defend the title again in 2022 before announcing his retirement.
“Now that he is not with us, we’d like to continue his legacy.
“We want the title to stay in PNG and we are looking at Kagili as the next contender to defend the belt.
“We will talk with WKBF and see if it’s possible to arrange the fight.”
Kagili and Garap were the pioneers of Muay Thai kickboxing in PNG.
Both fighters trained under PNG kickboxing legend Stanley Nandex before they both left Team Nandex in 2005 to pursue Muay Thai under WKBF.
Kagili said he would be ready to fight in honour of his close friend.
“Garap won all these titles from hard work, commitment and discipline every day,” he said. “I am ready to put my body on the line to defend the title that my friend won and successfully defended twice.”