PNG boxing team

Yesterday’s cheque presentation was a big boost for PNG Boxing Union and a kind gesture by National Finance to our boxers, who are looking forward to representing the country at this year’s Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands come November 2023.

Due to financial constraints, the PNG Boxing Union put out a public appeal to business houses and corporate entities to assist with the levy costs for the team. The National Finance responded positively with a commitment to assist with the huge funding support.  

Their fights will commence at 1pm local time (12pm PNG time) and first up will be Tamasi Kami in the over 91kg against Samoa. He will be followed by John Ume in the 64kg against Nauru.

Andrew Aisaga in the under 69kg will fight at 7pm this evening against Solomon Islands.

The final PNG bout will see Lucas Wakore in the under 81kg, going up against a Tahiti boxer representing the Pacific Games Council (PGC).

These are all quarter final-matches with the winner going through to the semi-finals the tomorrow.

The team of four has been training for the last two weeks at the high performance training centre in Baguio, the Philippines.

Head coach of the PNG boxing team, Joe Aufa says he’s been grateful for the assistance from fellow coaches from Australia, Malaysia and the Philippines

“The sparring sessions, the padding sessions and training together is quite valuable to us coaches to assess our boxers on the areas of fitness, technique and skills,” said Aufa.