Korake, Thai vie for title

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea light heavyweight champion John Korake and his Thailand opposite Chaloemporn Sawatsuk are set to meet in a World Boxing Council (WBC) title bout at the Sir John Guise Stadium Indoor Complex on Sunday.
Sawatsuk, who has a 53.85 per cent knockout rate, said he was aiming to win the fight and take the title home.
“If I can knock him (Korake) out, it will be great,” Sawatsuk said yesterday.
“If can win on points, it will be good too.
“I want to win the fight and take the belt home.”
However, Bougainville native Korake said the fight was significant to boxing in PNG and that he would not let Sawatsuk take home the title.
“The belt is already here in PNG and I will make sure it never leaves our shores,” said Korake, who has a 60 per cent knockout rate.
“This fight will market PNG boxers to the world.
“I will win this fight for them, the country and my family.”
The fight is the first WBC and Asian Boxing Council-sanctioned fight in PNG for 40 years.
According to Oceania Fight Promotions, Korake will have a chance to face any WBC top-20 light heavyweight boxers in the world and fight for a world title if he wins the bout.
The event will also feature five other international bouts and nine local undercards.
International bouts: Light heavyweight – John Korake (PNG) v Chaloemporn Sawatsuk (Thailand); Lightweight – Raka Kauko Jr (PNG) v Dimira Ravel (Indonesia); Bantamweight – Henry Umings (PNG) v Jun Blazo (Philippines); Middleweight – Douglas Walo (PNG) vs Ramadhan Weiru (Indonesia); Super Bantamweight – Joe Kara (PNG) v Agus Pattipeilohy (Indonesia); Cruiserweight – Ezatullah Kakar (Pakistanii refugee) v John Decklam (PNG).