Show delivers for fight fans

The National Sports

By PETER PUSAL
PROFFESIONAL boxing has been an on-and-off deal over the last 10 years that I’ve been covering the sport.
But despite this, true boxing fans will always be faithful to their favourite pasttime — watching fighters put it all on the line inside the squared ring for a little bit of money, to entertain and most importantly, to prove they have what it takes to compete in arguably one of the toughest sports in the world.
The following are my observations on the latest show put on by the PNG Prfessional Boxing Gymnasium on Sat, Dec 22 at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

  • Judges/referees/officials for the show were Brad Vocale (chief referee – Brisbane), Jamuga Stone (Port Moresby), Francis Beni (Port Moresby), Robert Namana (Port Moresby), Greggory Kula (Port Moresby), Bostony Elo (time keeper – Port Moresby) and Tony Gaupo (Port Moresby);
  • A panel of three judges for each bout scoring on a 10-point must system;
  • Bouts/show affiliated to World Boxing Council;
  • Show co-promoted by PNG Professional Boxing Gymnasium and Universal Promotions of Queensland; and
  • The ringside medical officers were from St John Ambulance.
  • The first bout (8x3min) of the night was a bantamweight (53.52kg) matchup between Henry Umings (AROB) and Tony Waisa (EHP): It was a student versus master clash with the younger Umings (25) too fast and punching too hard for the 39-year-old Waisa. Both men are southpaws. Round 1 starts tentatively with fighters feeling each other out with neither man landing anything. Umings ups the ante in the 2nd frame out-speeding Waisa, who tries to time Umings on the way in but just can’t pull the trigger. Waisa comes off the worse for wear from exchanges and barely survives round. Umings continues the beatdown in 3rd landing at will and drops and stops Waisa with short right dug into ribs (body shot) in 2nd minute. Awarded to Umings via KO (Round 3).
  • Second bout (8x3min) was a lightweight (61.23kg) contest between John Oscar (Central) and John Kalau (Central). Oscar is the more technical fighter. Very tight technique (like a young Bernard Hopkins). Kalau, a little sloppy, winging punches and lunging with shots. In 2nd, Kalau drops Oscar with a wild rush of punches in exchange but it looked more like a slip. Oscar given count and then proceeds to take control, shortening up punches and closing distance, connecting with consecutive power punches. Kalau run ragged and felled by Oscar late in round (2:56) by a sharp left-right combo. Awarded to Oscar via KO (Round 2).
  • Third bout (8x3min) on card was a middleweight (72.57kg) clash between Douglas Walo (Morobe) and Roger Wanji (East Sepik). Walo enters with a killer look in contrast to the jittery demeanor of Wanji. Wanji flays away at Walo in desperation and hope more than anything else. His punches have no effect on Walo – Wanji was winging them from Wewak but to no avail. Walo picks his spots and throws with bad intentions and connects (partially) and has Wanji shuddering away. Fight is ended at 2:10 of 1st frame with short right up and under that pops Wanji on mouth/nose and stuns. He goes down and doesn’t (or won’t) beat referee Brad Vocale’s count. Awarded to Walo via KO (Round 1).
  • Fourth bout (4x2min) was an exhibition fight between Sydney-based Anglican priest Fr. Dave Smith and Luke Baro (Wanigela, Central). Baro, 43, starts throwing some power shots and stuns Fr. Smith, 56, and wins opening round, although looked to be visibly tiring at end. Wily Fr. Smith readjusts in 2nd and uses boxing and old school tactics to score points on out of condition Baro, whose swings are few and far between. Bout goes full four rounds with Fr. Smith earning 39-37 thrice for a unanimous decision win. Unanimous points decision to Fr. Dave Smith.
  • Main bout (10x3min) between PNG’s John Korake against Pakistan’s Ezatullah Kakar for the IPBA Cruiserweight (90.7kg) title. Best fight of the night, and possibly of the last decade (in PNG) by my estimation. Give and take and back and forth between two conditioned warriors packing decent heat and with good chins. Korake, 34, is the better boxer and showcases his experience and poise as a prizefighter landing classic jab and straight right combos (ala Lennox Lewis) throughout bout while utilizing a technically correct uppercut from his repertoire. Kakar is the slightly bigger man and uses brawling and mauling tactics to overwhelm the ‘Stopper’. Both men land telling blows and hurt, stun and stagger each other over the fight and scores are close heading into 9th round. Korake uncorks text book straight right hand and nails Kakar coming in for highlight reel KO. Kakar out before he hits the canvas at 2.29 of round. Classic PNG title fight. Awarded to Korake via KO (Round 9).