PAPUA New Guinea bow out to Philippines in a historical boxing title fight in front of the home crowd at John Guise indoor stadium in Port Moresby last night April 25, 2021.
With the glamorous spectators echoing the name ‘Raka’ as the PNG and Philippines flags were carried into the boxing ring in an event that will go down the sporting history of PNG.
It was a fist fight that once again brought the followers of the boxing code in PNG together including Filipino community in Port Moresby. The World Boxing Association, Asia (WBA, Asia) title fight was for the first time live streamed all over Asia and parts of the world.
PNG’s light weight champion Raka Kauko Junior gave his Philippines international contender Roldan Aldea a tough match working his gloves from one corner of the ring to another.
However Aldea who is also known as the ‘Cobra’ with his surprise jab and stings came out smarter, collecting points every time Raka drives him to the corners of the ring.
From the red corner some minutes into the first round when Raka landed a punch right on top Aldea’s eye brow giving him an open cut that got the spectators erupted.
Aldea returned the favour with several jabs to Raka’s face that kept crowd on their feet for the remainder of the 10 complete round match.
Both contenders showed determination and courage to grab hold of the WBA, Asia Super featherweight title belt. However it was Rolden the cobra Aldea who came out victorious from the points result from the international WBA judges in the final tenth round of the match.
The eventful night was concluded with Philippines flag flying in the ring from the blue corner that marked a proud moment for Roldan Aldea and the people of Philippines on a foreign soil.
“I am so very happy that I won this belt. This is my dream come true and I want to fight world championship soon. Raka is a very good fighter. He is so hard and it was very difficult fighting him,” Aldea said.
Bowing out of the ring Raka Kauko Junior expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and to the organizers the Oceania fights promotions, PNG boxing council and his team the Integrated MMA gym.
“This is my first international fight and unfortunately I lost this fight on home soil but I ask OFP and my team for the rematch in 3 months,” time.
PNG Boxing Council president Ben Micah said he is happy with the result for the match.
“I am satisfied with the result of the fight. The reason why we create this fight is to get our boys to fight more in the Asia regions and we look forward to good fight coming up,” said Ben Micah.
President Micah added that they are going to negotiate with the team from Philippines and WBA to get a rematch in the next three months’ time.
