Kickboxing will host world title fight here

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The National, Tuesday 23rd April 2013

 By JACK AMI

PAPUA New Guinea will stage a world kickboxing championship on June 1 at the Sir John Guise Stadium, in Port Moresby.

The World Kickboxing Association is impressed with the sport locally as it has lifted the profile of the code in the country. 

With that in mind, the association has approved a world title, an inter-continental title and three South Pacific titles to be at stake. 

More than 15 international de­legates from Finland, Germany, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia are expected in Port Moresby on May 28. 

They will see five international fighters taking on the country’s elite fighters.

This was confirmed by PNG Kickboxing Association chief executive officer, Stanley Nandex in an email on Friday.

Nandex said the PNG elite fighters were selected on merit for the international event.

They are Rickson “The Powerhouse” Yamo, pictured above, who will challenge Jarkko Jussila of Finland in a world welterweight title fight in 12 two-minute rounds.

Andy “The Black Panther” Sam, pictured centre, takes on Paritosh Nigam of New Delhi, India, in a middleweight intercontinental title bout of eight two-minute rounds; Jeffery “The Iron” Daka, pictured  right, meets Australian Ozan Ulker for the South Pacific super welterweight title in six two-minute rounds, Jo­nathan “The Explosives” Tuhu fights Indonesian Alfa Tagubus for the lightweight South Pacific title and Kaupa “The Flame” Omena faces Eka Ereka of Indonesia for the South Pacific bantamweight title.

World president Fritz Exenberger of Germany is expected to arrive in the country to officiate with head of referees, Gerald Dittrich. 

There will be other bouts on the undercard. 

After this event, local fighters travel to Sydney, Australia, in August for more fifths.

International promoter Robert Wilsmith will be in the country to conduct a two-day kickboxing and Thai boxing seminar and to select fighters to fight in Australia, Indonesia and Germany.

Tjhe PNGKBA and its semi-professional management company, KB-1 Promotions Ltd, are now about to reap the benefits created by the OX & Palm Kickboxing Eliminator Last Man Standing series.

The first elimination was held in Port Moresby on March 21 before a jam-packed house.

Nandex thanked all sponsors involved in heat one and is looking forward to heat two in Kokopo, East New Britain, on May 11.