North-East boxing tournament hosts finals

By ROBINSON LEKA
THE finals of a Moresby North-East boxing tournament were hosted on Sunday with 20 weight divisions hosting bouts across three categories at the University of Papua New Guinea’s Waigani campus.
Tournament founder and national lightweight champion Kauko Raka Jr said the finals were held in three groups which were novice male, female and cadet boxers.
He acknowledged the support of 17 boxing clubs in Port Moresby and Central that competed in fights since October with the bouts officially starting at Air Transports Squadron (ATS) settlement at 7-Mile.
“I’d like to thank all 17 clubs that came out for the past two months,” he said.
“They’re the ones that have made this tournament special and not forgetting Spencer Francis and the ATS community.
“We had a hard time looking for sponsors, but fortunately Jamie Pang and his family were able to assist us during the finals.
“Another big thanks to the judges and trainers in Port Moresby for coming out because once we went ahead with games, most of them just joined and their participation has been overwhelming.”
The finals hosted bouts for novice male, eight weight categories for senior amateur men who ranged between 49kg and 81kg.
The female group hosted six weight categories from 49kg-64kg while the cadet division held fights for junior boxers aged from nine to 13 years (30kg-52kg).
Raka said the finalists would be screened and a selection would be made for boxers to represent Team Raka in the national boxing championships at Eboa in Kairuku, Central, this weekend.