By GABRIEL KATUHO
THE co-owner of Sanctuary Hotel and Spa and Rapopo Plantation Resort, Mr. James Pang, yesterday acknowledged John Ume for claiming the BX-9 interim welterweight championship title after defeating his opponent, Hamzy Perwaisy, last weekend.
Mr. Pang made the remarks during a press conference yesterday at Sanctuary Hotel and Spa in Port Moresby, where he spoke as the sole sponsor of “The Monster,” John Ume.
“We have been the only company or person that has sponsored John Ume, well before his fight in New Zealand. We are very proud of John’s achievements,” he said.
Mr Pang praised Ume for his humbleness, disciplined, determination and aspiration to excel further in his professional boxing career.
He also pledged a lifelong sponsorship support from Sanctuary Hotel and Rapopo plantation resort towards Ume for his future fights.
“I watched the fight on NBC, I’m not an expert in boxing but I had to say John was in control and in the seventh round, he knocked his opponent and took him down. It’s a best feeling in the world to win,” he said.
Pang’s genuine support for the ENB Agmark Gurias for 10 solid years has earned them the 2026 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup premiership victory and now he is happy for another victory from John Ume.
John Ume thanked the Sanctuary Hotel and Rapopo Resort for the sponsorship that enabled him to take part in the fight and the hospitality comfort after his fight.
He also together acknowledged his family and the team for the support in ensuring everything was well before he took the ring last Saturday.
“So, before I got into the training, I was telling my coaches and Trainers that I was going to knock him down due to opponent change,” he said.
“we worked on the techniques, my coaches were very helpful. I didn’t watch his fight but, in my head, I said I’m going to do this, fortunately I had more experience in the ring so it helped me,” he stated.
Ume’s opponent that he was supposed to fight with over the weekend got injured during the semi-finals and got replaced which Ume said there is talks going on with his team for the title fight in early March or February next year.