Korake confident of defeating Thai opponent

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea and Oceania welterweight champion John ‘The Stopper’ Korake is confident of defeating Thai Chaloemporn Sawatsuk when they meet in a World Boxing Council-sanctioned bout in Port Moresby on Dec 1.
The Bougainville native said the bout was crucial in that it would market PNG boxing to the world.
“I will not let this opportunity pass by,” Korake told The National.
“I will win this fight and create a pathway for our fighters to be recognised on the international stage.
“This is the moment we have been waiting for, it will be a turning point for the sport in the country. I’ll let my fists do the talking in the ring.
“Sawatsuk is a champion in his own right and I respect that but I am fighting for the future of our boxers and I will do whatever it takes to knock him out.”
Since he made his debut in 2008, Korake has fought a total of 19 rounds in five bouts with a 60 per cent knock-out rating in his international record.
However, it will be a mammoth task for the 35-year-old given a similar international record held by his opponents, whose knockout rating is at 53.85 per cent.
PNG boxing patron Ben Micah says the sport will never be the same should Korake win.
“Boxing in this country has seen a huge turnaround over the last six months,” he said. “Champions are made in boxing and this is the sport that will put PNG on the world map.
“I urge Papua New Guineans, stakeholders and the Government to back our fighters’ preparations for international bouts.”