Kevin aiming for spot in Team NCD’s boxing squad following recent tourney

By PARKER TAMBUA
FEMALE boxer Leontine Kevin is eyeing a debut in the upcoming Papua New Guinea Games later this year by representing Team NCD.
Kevin featured in the Tru Warrior Boxing event hosted in Port Moresby on Sunday.
The 23-year-old fought Sila Ken in the women’s welterweight division where she won by unanimous decision.
Kevin admitted that the tree-minute three-round bout was one of her toughest since she started boxing in 2019.
She used her height and reach advantage to dominate her opponent.
Kevin told The National after the fight that she wanted to showcase her talent at the national level and the upcoming PNG Games provided that opportunity.
“I started boxing in 2019 when I was 18,” said Kevin, who is from Kairuku in Central.
“No one inspired me or introduced me to the sport but I just love boxing that’s why I joined a boxing club back then.
“Just recently I’ve joined the KBM boxing club and now I am representing them in the Tru Warrior Boxing events.
“I’ve been in boxing for four years now but I haven’t made it into any representative team yet. But definitely my aim is to make it into Team NCD’s boxing side.
“PNG Games is one of main goal this year and with the Team NCD selection trials for boxing coming up in few weeks, I want to be at my best and make a strong case for a selection into the team.
“Obviously my long-term goal is to hopefully represent PNG but I just need to achieve my short-term goal first.”
Kevin has encouraged women to get involved in boxing and not just other sports.
“In my four years in boxing, I’ve realised that the sport actually gives me confidence,” she said.
“It builds your character, you become a better person but most importantly for women, it makes you strong both physically and mentally.
“Boxing also teaches women self-defence. It’s not safe these days so you must know how to defend yourself.”