Garap gets intercontinental title

LEE Henry Garap, pictured, was awarded the World Kickboxing Federation (WKF) Intercontinental welterweight (68kg) title after opponent Matt Smith failed to turn up for their scheduled Head Hunter Promotions show on May 4.
A disappointed Garap said he had trained long and hard for the chance to face the Cairns-based fighter but had to settle for the belt without throwing a punch or kick at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex.
“Matt Smith pulled out on the day of the weigh-in which was on Friday (May 3), the day before the fight,” Garap said. “I was looking forward to fighting him and I was disappointed but anyway I got the win and I’m happy so now I’ve qualified to fight for the WKF welterweight title in November.”
Garap said venue of the title fight had not been confirmed yet but he preferred to have it in PNG.
The 36-year-old said he was stage his own World Kick Boxing Federation (WKBF)-sanctioned show on July 28 in Port Moresby where he would have local fighters take on several international opponents.
Garap, however, will compete as a boxer at the show. “I’ll be boxing at the July show. I’ll have Pakistani Ezatullah Kakar fight on my show under WKBF rules,” said Garap, who has a four wins, a loss and a draw as a boxer.
He said if he won the WKF 68kg title in November he would then test himself in Singapores ONE Championship.