Promoter moots pro show in Lae

PROFESSIONAL boxing in Papua New Guinea — quite popular in the 70s — is making an attempt to regain the status it once enjoyed.
The sport provided the country a robust international profile as icons like John Aba and Martin Beni graced the old Sir Hubert Murray Stadium against world class opponents.
Aba’s challenge for a Commonwealth title against Panama’s Eusebio Pedroza rekindles memories of the sport’s global profile in those days. Beni has since become a promoter with Oceania Fight Promotions and staged a number of fights in Port Moresby last year.
OFP is one of the three who have been granted promoters licence as PNG Professional Control Board chairman Bernard Fong drives the reemergence of the sport.
Probox Media PNG which is one of the promotional firms is gauging the potential of hosting its first event in 2020 in Lae – providing an opportunity for the Morobe capital to get a taste of international boxing as the sport makes inroads for exposure to other parts of the country other than the national capital.
The Philippines which is a country strong in the lighter weights — like PNG whereby local strength is in similar weight categories — is being invited to be part of the boxing show in March.
Probo Media PNG said expression of interests for business houses in Lae and national entities who would like to extend their profiles to other parts of the country other than Port Moresby — could also utilise this opportunity.
It said discussions with a promoter in the Philippines were at a “very advanced” stage and sponsors — at selected levels of packages — could benefit from airline tickets to the reciprocal fights in that country — which was famous for producing legendary world champion Manny Pacquiao — later in the year.
Business houses who would like to benefit from other special limited packages can express their interest by making contact by email to http://[email protected].