Korake denies claim

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea light heavyweight champion John Korake denied claims that he had breached a contract with Oceania Fight Promotions (OFP) when fought Fijian Savenaca Naliva in Ba last month.
Korake’s wife Shirley, who is also his manager, told The National yesterday that he wasn’t contracted to any promoter at the time of the bout, which he had lost by a third-round technical knockout.
She said there wasn’t any fixed contract signed between Korake and OFP since their engagement last year. Shirley said Korake only signed a sponsorship contract with B-mie Arts and Craft Limited, which is owned by OFP director Maryanne Millie.
She said the sponsorship contract was different from a fight contract and that John was free to fight at any organised event put on by any promoters.
“There is a misunderstanding by OFP,” Shirley said.
“The six-month contract, which lasted from July 14, 2019, to Jan 14 this year, is only for sponsorship which covers accommodations, equipment and training facilities for John.
“John (Korake) only signed three one-off purse-fight contracts with OFP last year with the major one being the bout against Thailand’s Chaleomporn Sawatsuk in December.
“Those are not fixed contracts which means the promoter doesn’t own the fighter and he is free to fight under any promoter at any time upon their invitation.”
Korake said he was available and that there was nothing preventing OFP from taking him on board again.
He said the Fiji trip was valid and that all concerned parties had a mutual understanding before the bout.