Team Raka to host boxing competition

PAPUA New Guina Professional Boxer Kauko Raka Jr says his Team Raka Boxing Club will host a competition from June 9 to Sept 1 in Port Moresby.
The national lightweight champion said the three month competition, dubbed as Thursday Fight Night, was a new concept by the club.
Raka said the concept was to unite boxers in the National Capital District (NCD) and Central to establish a league where fighters from different clubs could compete.
“My idea is to have a boxing league, so it’ll encourage young boxers to be consistent,” he said.
“This will also help boxers to continue improving, rather than just training and waiting for national boxing events.”
The event will cover 11 weight categories from 48kg to 92kg.
Raka said he was optimistic about the outcome of the tournament, so he requested the Government and business houses to support the initiative.
“I’d like the Government and businesses to support it,” he said.
“I want to help develop boxing in the country and give fighters more exposure at the international level.
“But to do that, we should have an active competition to see where our boxers are at.”
Raka confirmed that nine clubs had already registered for the tournament, and urged others to join the initiative.
“In NCD, we have more than 17 boxing clubs,” he said.
“The invitation is open to all clubs in NCD and Central, especially Mekeo and Hiri.”
Meanwhile, former NCD boxer Harry Kore donated K20,000 to the tournament.