Garap ready for Smith

By PETER PUSAL
LEE Henry Garap, also known as “The Flash”, takes on Cairns-based Matt Smith in a World Kickboxing Federation-sanctioned welterweight (66.8kg) bout on Head Hunters Promotions’ PNG v Rest of the World 3 show tomorrow in Port Moresby.
The 36-year-old, who is a WKBF world title holder and the country’s first Muay Thai champion, said he had been training consistently since January and was keen to get back into the ring to prove himself.
“I made history when I won the WKBF Muay Thai title in 2016 and I defended it last year against Uten Chanavan of Thailand and I want to win a title in another sanctioning body (WKF) so that’s what is motivating me to fight,” Garap, who has fought 144 fights, said.
If Garap beats Smith he will then be eligible to fight for the vacant WKF welterweight title in November.
A confident Garap said he was in great physical condition and would use his experience and skills to win their four-round contest.
“I’m fight fit. I’m feeling fitter than when I was 20. Stronger, much smarter, sharper and I feel I’ve got another 6 or 7 years in me,” Garap said.
Garap admitted that he was not familiar with his opponent but would rely on his tried and tested method of getting a look at his opponent early on before launching into his offence.
“I don’t know anything about Smith but I hear he’s tall and fights at range so obviously I have to start slow initially, see what he has to offer and then counter him,” the Chimbu-Morobe man said.
Garap said his preferred shots were kicks, especially to the legs, as well as his back-spinning hook kick to the head which had dropped and stopped a good number of his previous opponents.
Garap thanked his personal sponsors Life Gym, Kina Bank, Pacific Energy Consulting and Yes Management.
The PNG v Rest of the World 3 is a promotion by Stanley Nandex, owner of Head Hunters Promotions, and will be staged at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex, Waigani.
Gates open at 9am with undercard bouts followed by an eight-man contest with the main card fights to start at 3pm.
According Nandex the winners of the main bouts would qualify to represent PNG at the World Cup in
China from May 20-25 and the K-1 Max Grand Prix in Japan at end of the year.
Results would also see fighters earn world rankings. Nandex said the PNG Kickboxing Federation (PNGKBF) was trying to ensure local fighters were recognised and ranked internationally.
WKF president Fritz Exenberger of Austria and his Oceania president Rustam Ali Attai will be the special guests.
Details on the show including ticket prices, bookings can be obtained on phone numbers 76892043 or 70658723 and email: [email protected]