PETE’S PUNCHLINE

The National Sports

  • Our deepest condolences go out to the Apisah clan on the loss of their father Kwalam Apisah. He will always be remembered for his work, commitment and dedication to PNG tennis. But most of all, he should be remebered for being a great father to all his children, and a leader and mentor of those knew and worked with him.
  • As soon as the Wests Tigers picked up Edene, I knew the Hunters weren’t going to make the playoffs. But nothing’s in stone, so prove me wrong guys.
  • By the way, who is the SP Hunters assistant coach, again? I missed it the first time.
  • So the team’s major sponsor says the multi-million kina investment is a community service, to develop talent and promote the code and all that jazz, meanwhile the sport’s administrator says the club has to be self sustaining. Not with sponsors like that.
  • Manchester United and reigning champions Liverpool now sit atop the English Premier League ladder.
  • Told yah that Kyle Jamieson fella was a good’un. I’ll bet Colin de Grandhome is getting a little nervous now. Still it’s all good news for the Black Caps. Now if they could just find a decent spinner.
  • Six games into the NBA season and the conference leaders are Phoenix in the West and Philly in the East. Both are 5-1 but I expect things will change (particularly for the Suns). It’s the others in their respectable top 8s that are interesting.The Magic (2), Cavs (4), Hawks (5) and Knicks (7) are sitting pretty in the East’s top 8 – too bad the playoffs aren’t next week. In the West, things are a little more realistic but that still doesn’t explain why Denver are dead last.
  • As expected lightweight rising star Ryan Garcia knocked out Britain’s Luke Campbell in seven rounds yesterday. Check “King Ryan” out on Youtube. The kid is good – blistering hand speed, power in both hands, youth and good looks, toughness, and the right trainer/manager and promoter. Yep, he’s going places. Hopefully some time in 2021 he fights Tank Davis. Lomachenko and Teo Lopez can come later.
  • Nigel Benn’s boy Connor is never in a dull fight is he? A chip off the old block, I reckon.
  • One of the best fights to watch to see how two boxers can stand in the pocket and trade jabs and power shots for 12 rounds and at the same time display good defence, great chins, stamina, solid technique and grit is Virgil Hill’s 1997 light heavyweight stoush with Pole Dariusz Michalczewski. One of the best bouts out there. If you prefer bang for your buck, try Evander Holyfield’s 1986 war with Dwight Muhammad Qawi. You won’t be disappointed. – PGTP ([email protected])