Ref Vocale sings boxer Raka’s praises

QUEENSLAND-based WBC referee Brad Vocale says Junior Kauka Raka is the best super lightweight (63.5kg) in the Oceania region but has lacked the fights and exposure to fulfill his potential.
The 64-year-old was the chief referee for the PNG Professional Boxing Gymnasium show on Dec 22 in Port Moresby. Vocale, who refereed the main bout, the Indo-Pacific Boxing Association cruiserweight title bout between John Korake and Pakistan’s Ezatullah Kakar, said he was impressed with the talent on show but expressed his disappointment that Raka was unable to fight after a family bereavement.
“The PNG boys come to another level on the night. It was a shame that we didn’t have Junior Kauka Raka (fight) because sadly he lost his mother. He deserved better but sadly it didn’t happen for him but I’m sure he’ll be back,” Vocale said.
Raka was supposed to fight on for an IPBA title against Indonesia’s Rafael Dimara but the bout was cancelled by PNGPBG in the lead-up to the show. Vocale was adamant that Raka was a fighter who could hold his own against anyone in his division in the Pacific.
“He’ll be back in February or March, when we have another show. I’m really confident that Junior is coming. He is the best fighter in the country.”
The West New Briton claimed the national lightweight title after stopping Enga’s Johnson Kapus in two rounds last May in Port Moresby.
Before turning pro, Raka was an amateur standout winning several national titles and representing the country at the Pacific Games.
“I believe that he is probably the best fighter, in the weight, in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania but he hasn’t shown anybody that yet simply because he’s just fighting here (PNG),” Vocale said.
“Nobody wants to fight him so we’re going to create this championship. That’s going to, hopefully, propel him up a couple more levels to go into WBC or WBA rankings.
“He has the ability to do this and I’m very confident that he can so they have my support 100 per cent.”