Korake sidelined

By PARKER TAMBUA
OCEANIA Fight Promotions (OFP) has sidelined John Korake indefinitely after the Papua New Guinea light heavyweight champion breached his contract when he fought Fiji champion Savenaca Naliva without the knowledge of his promoter, says an official.
OFP director Maryanne Millie told The National on Sunday that Korake would not be fighting in any OFP-sanctioned fights until further notice.
She said Korake and his managers had arranged the fight in Fiji without letting OFP know.
It is understood that Korake’s fight against Naliva was backed by South Pacific Boxing Promotions and World Boxing Federation Asia-Pacific.
According to Millie, Korake was supposed to fight in a World Boxing Council-sanctioned title rematch against Thai champion Chameomporn Sawatsuk later in the year but said OFP would now select another fighter.
“Korake is currently not with OFP,” she said. “He went to Fiji with another promoter where he lost by knockout.
“We will now have to look at another fighter who can match Sawatsuk.
“We don’t want a loss, we want a win this time.
“If someone wants to face Sawatsuk, he has to be ready and show us that he can do it.”
Millie said the rematch with Sawatsuk was still under negotiation with the Thai’s managers and WBC.
Meanwhile, she confirmed that 37 fighters had signed three-year contracts with OFP.