Thadius Katua

VIDEO: CG 2018 Boxing

Despite Thadius Katua being the only boxer to win his opening bout, the hard hitting fighters from Papua New Guinea have shown that they mean business.

Katua came out firing from the start and held off his Nigerian opponent with classy footwork and super-fast punching to win by a unanimous point's decision.

PNG boxers to fight tonight

 

The event which is a being promoted as a commemorative event for the 75th Anniversary of the Kokoda Track will feature PNG’s Katua (60kg), Charles Keama (52kg), Beupu Noki (56kg), John Ume (64kg) and female Laizani Soma (60kg) who will put on their gloves to face boxers from New South Wales and other states.

Assistant coach, Mark Keto said he has been relishing the opportunity he has been given in the weeklong training camp leading up to tonight.

Katua ready for Olympic debut tonight

Katua will face off against his more experienced Russian opponent, Adlan Abdurashidov, who has been competing since 2009.

The Russian from the Akhmat Fight Club mentions chess as one of his hobbies but it will be Katua looking to checkmate the Russian in their first round bout.

The twenty-six year old, Abdurashidov qualified for the Rio Games as a highly ranked APB competitor and is a quality orthodox boxer with a high level of skill and experience.

Katua and Baru going to Rio

The two secured invitations through the International Olympic Committee’s qualification systems.

This allows the best athletes in each sport to participate in the Games primarily through the continental qualification of athletes and teams.

Katua (60kg) is PNG's first Commonwealth Youth Games gold medallist and will look to build on his Pacific Games and Commonwealth Youth Games gold medals from 2015.

Baru (62kg) on the other hand is currently PNG's top male lifter and won gold at the recent Oceania Championships. He also won best lifter of the championship title.