By Robert Hill
Papua New Guinea’s growing presence on the international professional boxing scene continues tomorrow night when Kondup Samson Wailo steps into the ring at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, to face Auckland-based Niuean-Kiwi cruiserweight Duken Tutakitoa-Williams.
For Wailo, representing Maikuna Gym, it is officially his professional boxing debut — but the 28-year-old is hardly inexperienced.
He brings eight professional kickboxing bouts, more than 40 amateur fights, a PNG Heavyweight Kickboxing Championship and two professional boxing exhibition bouts into the contest.
His unbeaten opponent, Tutakitoa-Williams, has already recorded two professional victories, both by unanimous decision, and has nine professional rounds on his record.
On paper, Wailo enters as the less experienced professional boxer.
But the PNG fighter is embracing the challenge rather than avoiding it.
“Hungry dogs fight harder.”
That attitude reflects a broader development in PNG boxing, with more of the country's fighters now gaining opportunities to test themselves overseas.
Just weeks ago, Fidelis “The Bougainville Bomber” Laia scored a second-round knockout over Jhon Rey Tariao in Manila, Philippines.
In Australia, Mili “Mayhem” Saul recently returned to the ring with a fourth-round stoppage of experienced Thai opponent Saowaluk Nareepangsri on the Gold Coast.
New Zealand has also become an important battleground for PNG fighters.
John Ume has recorded significant wins there, while Sheilla Yama has built an impressive professional career in Auckland, most recently defending her IBF International Super Lightweight title against Australia's Jessica Messina.
Now Wailo gets his opportunity !!
Kondup Samson Wailo 🇵🇬 vs Duken Tutakitoa-Williams 🇳🇺🇳🇿
🥊 Cruiserweight
📅 Saturday, 3 October 2026
📍 Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
🏛️ New Zealand Professional Boxing Association
🥊 Promoter: Oz Jabur — BX-9
For Wailo and Maikuna Gym, it is another chance for PNG boxing to step outside its home environment and prove itself against quality international opposition.
By VSP Promotions
Nguyễn Văn Hải's trip to the famous Korakuen Hall ended in round five on Saturday night. The referee stepped in at 2:48 to save the Vietnamese veteran from Japan's WBO Asia Pacific featherweight champion, Ryota Muto.
The night got harder before the first bell. Hải came in 300 grams over the featherweight limit at Friday's weigh-in, so only Muto could leave with the belt. Had Hải won, the title would have been declared vacant.
Once they got going, the 21-year-old southpaw set the tempo from round one. Muto worked behind the one-two and a hard straight left, then dug left uppercuts to the body and followed with the right hook, mixing his attack up and down. Hải is a former national champion with a deep amateur résumé, and he leaned on the tight, high guard that has carried him through a long career. From round two, though, his punches dried up. Once a fighter stops letting his hands go, a champion of Muto's quality gets to pick his shots at will. Muto kept going to the body, trapped Hải in the red corner in round five, and the referee had seen enough.
Credit where it is due. Muto is no ordinary regional champion. He won this belt in May by stopping Kenji Fujita, then the WBO's No.1 contender, and the WBO now rates him No.2 in the world. Even his corner admitted they had prepared counters that Hải never let them use.
For Hải, now 9-4 at 38, the lesson from Tokyo is clear. Against world-rated opposition, the guard alone won't win rounds. You have to make the other man respect your punches. For Vietnamese boxing, the bigger picture still matters: a Vietnamese fighter is getting the call to fight for regional titles against world-ranked champions at the sport's most iconic small hall. Those nights are where the next step gets learned.
Respect to Muto and his team, who held up a photo of the late Shigetoshi Kotari in the ring after the fight.
The result: Ryota Muto (Japan) def. Nguyễn Văn Hải (Vietnam) by TKO, Round 5, 2:48. WBO Asia Pacific featherweight title, 10 rounds scheduled. DYNAMIC GLOVE on U-NEXT vol.48, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Saturday 3 October 2026.
By VSP Boxing
Nguyễn Văn Hải makes weight for tomorrow night's featherweight clash in Tokyo.
Hải (9-3) takes on Japan's Ryota Muto (10-1) in a 10 round clash at the iconic Korakuen Hall.
Official weights: Nguyễn Văn Hải weighed 57.4 kg at the official weigh-in in Tokyo on 2 October, 300 g over the featherweight limit. Ryota Muto weighed 56.9 kg. Because of the miss, the WBO Asia Pacific featherweight title was on the line for Muto only: had Hải won, the title would have been declared vacant. Hải passed the fight-day weight check at 60.8 kg, under the 61.7 kg cap.
Originally posted on VSP Boxing's Facebook
Correction (4 Oct 2026): an earlier version of this article, and the original Facebook post quoted above, said Nguyễn Văn Hải made weight. He weighed 57.4 kg, 300 g over the limit.
By VSP Boxing
At ASIAD 20 – Aichi–Nagoya 2026, Nguyễn Thị Tâm has just won her women's 51kg boxing semi-final against Alua Balkibekova of Kazakhstan.
Tâm won 5–0, officially securing her place in the Gold Medal final.
🥇 Women's 51kg final – 2 October
🇻🇳 Nguyễn Thị Tâm
vs
🇨🇳 Wu Yu (China)
This will be Tâm's last bout at ASIAD 20, with the Gold Medal as the goal ahead.
Nguyễn Thị Tâm is also a three-time Victory8 champion with VSP Promotions in Vietnam, having fought and won on all three of her appearances at the event.
From Victory8 in Vietnam to the ASIAD stage, Tâm is once again in a major final of Asian boxing.
🇻🇳 Final on 2 October – Nguyễn Thị Tâm vs Wu Yu.
#NguyenThiTam #VietnamBoxing #ASIAD20 #AichiNagoya2026 #Victory8 #VSPPromotions
— — —
NGUYỄN THỊ TÂM TIẾN VÀO CHUNG KẾT TRANH HUY CHƯƠNG VÀNG! 🇻🇳
Tại ASIAD 20 – Aichi–Nagoya 2026, Nguyễn Thị Tâm vừa giành chiến thắng trước Alua Balkibekova của Kazakhstan trong trận bán kết boxing nữ hạng cân 51kg.
Tâm giành chiến thắng với tỷ số 5–0, qua đó chính thức giành quyền vào trận chung kết tranh Huy chương Vàng.
🥇 Chung kết hạng 51kg nữ – ngày 2/10
🇻🇳 Nguyễn Thị Tâm
vs
🇨🇳 Wu Yu (Trung Quốc)
Đây sẽ là trận đấu cuối cùng của Tâm tại ASIAD 20, với tấm Huy chương Vàng là mục tiêu phía trước.
Nguyễn Thị Tâm cũng là nhà vô địch Victory8 ba lần của VSP Promotions tại Việt Nam, từng thi đấu và giành chiến thắng trong cả ba lần tham dự giải đấu.
Từ Victory8 tại Việt Nam đến đấu trường ASIAD, Tâm tiếp tục có mặt ở một trận chung kết lớn của boxing châu Á.
🇻🇳 Chung kết ngày 2/10 – Nguyễn Thị Tâm vs Wu Yu.
#NguyenThiTam #VietnamBoxing #ASIAD20 #AichiNagoya2026 #Victory8 #VSPPromotions
By VSP Boxing
Nguyễn Thị Tâm continued to confirm her standing as one of Vietnamese boxing's leading hopes, defeating Bak Chorong (South Korea) 5-0 in the women's 51kg quarter-final at ASIAD 2026.
All 5 judges scored the bout for Nguyễn Thị Tâm, sending the Vietnamese boxer into the semi-finals and guaranteeing her at least one medal.
This is Nguyễn Thị Tâm's third straight win at ASIAD 2026. Before this, she beat Ramisha Shrestha (Nepal) 5-0 in the opening round, then defeated Guo Yi Xuan (Chinese Taipei) 4-1 in the round of 16.
Her run at ASIAD 2026 adds to Nguyễn Thị Tâm's impressive record. The Vietnamese boxer is a two-time Asian champion, won a world silver medal in 2023 and bronze at ASIAD 2018, and competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Notably, Nguyễn Thị Tâm is also a three-time Victory8 champion at boxing events organised by VSP Boxing in Vietnam.
🔥 Congratulations, Nguyễn Thị Tâm! Vietnam has a medal — and the journey continues! 🇻🇳🥊
— — —
NGUYỄN THỊ TÂM VÀO BÁN KẾT ASIAD 2026! 🇻🇳
Nguyễn Thị Tâm tiếp tục khẳng định vị thế của một trong những niềm hy vọng hàng đầu của Boxing Việt Nam khi đánh bại Bak Chorong (Hàn Quốc) với tỷ số 5-0 ở tứ kết hạng cân 51kg nữ tại ASIAD 2026.
Cả 5 trọng tài đều chấm chiến thắng cho Nguyễn Thị Tâm, giúp nữ võ sĩ Việt Nam giành quyền vào bán kết và chắc chắn có ít nhất một tấm huy chương.
Đây là chiến thắng thứ ba liên tiếp của Nguyễn Thị Tâm tại ASIAD 2026. Trước đó, cô vượt qua Ramisha Shrestha (Nepal) với tỷ số 5-0 ở vòng đầu, trước khi đánh bại Guo Yi Xuan (Đài Bắc Trung Hoa) với tỷ số 4-1 tại vòng 1/8.
Thành tích tại ASIAD 2026 tiếp tục nối dài bảng thành tích ấn tượng của Nguyễn Thị Tâm. Nữ võ sĩ Việt Nam từng hai lần vô địch châu Á, giành HCB thế giới năm 2023 và HCĐ tại ASIAD 2018, đồng thời từng góp mặt tại Olympic Tokyo 2020.
Đặc biệt, Nguyễn Thị Tâm cũng là nhà vô địch Victory8 ba lần tại các sự kiện boxing do VSP Boxing tổ chức tại Việt Nam.
🔥 Chúc mừng Nguyễn Thị Tâm! Việt Nam đã có huy chương — và hành trình vẫn tiếp tục! 🇻🇳🥊
One minute twenty-two seconds. Super welter. Lights out.
That’s the undercard energy Vietnam hosted: international names, real stakes, and finishers who don’t need twelve rounds to make a point.
Which HOIANA stoppage still lives in your head?
#VSPPromotions #HOIANALEGENDARY #ProBoxing #KO #BoxingVietnam
Bougainville’s Fidelis Laia takes another step forward in his professional boxing career when he heads to sunny Queensland this Saturday night.
Laia will face Australian boxer Thomas Ward in a four-round welterweight clash at the beachside Mantra on View in Surfers Paradise.
The bout will be contested at 147lb, one division above the 140lb weight class that is more suited to the PNG boxer.
Laia will give away around five inches in height to the rangy Australian orthodox striker, but the heavy-handed Bougainville fighter will be looking to make his power the great equaliser.
The event also features another exciting Papua New Guinean boxer, Mili Saul, who will take on a Thai opponent in a six-round contest.
Now based in Brisbane, Saul recorded two victories in 2025, and Saturday night will mark her first outing of 2026.
The main event features outstanding Jackson Jon England, who faces unbeaten Kazakhstan star Sultan Zaurbek (20–0) in a world-level qualifier.
It promises to be another exciting night of international professional boxing put together by renowned promoter Jamie Myer on the Gold Coast.
Vũ Quang Vinh opened HOIANA Legendary on 3 Aug 2024 at Hoiana Resort & Golf with the hardest kind of introduction: a professional debut against Jeong Jae Wook, a Korean opponent who already had four pro fights and a strong chin.
Vinh did not rush the moment. He stayed patient, kept working, and the persistence paid off in the closing seconds when he finished the fight by TKO. The result mattered beyond one debut: it became part of a Vietnamese breakthrough night on a card built around international title stakes.
This was the opener to a historic Central Vietnam event — the first major international dual-title night in the region, with WBO Global and IBF Asia titles, seven nations and eight bouts, presented by VSP Promotions at Hoiana Resort & Golf, Quảng Nam / South Hội An.
Was Vinh’s late finish the most telling moment of the opener?
Ryan Garcia didn’t just “get the win.” He shut the noise down in Round 2.
WBC welterweight title. First defense. T-Mobile Arena. Conor Benn coming forward like the script said he would — pressure, body work, try to make it ugly. Garcia had already told the world what was coming: Benn can’t outbox him, so he’ll rush.
And then the shot everyone wasn’t talking about.
Pre-fight, the left hook got all the romance. On the night? A lightning right hand put Benn on the canvas. Eight-count. Benn tried to continue. Garcia swarmed. Referee Thomas Taylor waved it off at 1:25 of Round 2.
That’s not a debate. That’s a statement finish.
Garcia moves to 26-2 (21 KOs). Benn’s big welterweight night ends early. And before the gloves were cold, “King Ry” was already pointing at the next names ringside — Teofimo Lopez… and the old rival, Devin Haney.
So here’s the real question:
Was this the night Garcia reminded everyone he’s still the problem… or the night the welterweight division just got a lot louder?
Mark Magsayo walked into T-Mobile Arena as one of the Philippines’ most proven operators — former world champion energy, five straight wins, and a second outing under the Zuffa banner on a massive Las Vegas card.
Across from him: Andres Cortes. Undefeated. Top Rank / Zuffa pedigree. The same Cortes who talked a big game about Filipino fighters… and who just refused to let this night become Magsayo’s statement.
Early on, Cortes outboxed him — sharp shots, counters, body work. There were knockdown calls in rounds 3 and 4 that got reversed later — messy optics, but the scoreboard still drifted the American’s way. Magsayo did what champions do late: he pushed, he came forward, he tried to close the gap.
It wasn’t enough.
All three judges: 97–93 Cortes.
Magsayo falls to 29-3 (19 KOs). Cortes stays perfect at 26-0 (13 KOs). Five-fight streak: gone.
This wasn’t a quiet loss. It was a reminder that at this level, starting slow against an unbeaten technician costs you the night — even when you finish stronger.
What’s next for Magsayo after this?
MAGSAYO vs CORTES — UD LOSS
Mark Magsayo is, without question, one of the Philippines most exciting and best-performed fighters of recent years.
And this is a huge fight on one of the biggest boxing cards of the year.
So where is the love??
Across the ring is Andres Cortes — an unbeaten fighter, a Top Rank poster boy, and a guy who clearly believes he belongs at the top.
But there’s a little history here.
Cortes is the guy previously matched with the Philippines’ own Charly Suarez — and, shamefully, that fight never happened. Cortes was a last minute dropout without offering any explanation.
But afterwards, after ducking a beat down from the King's Warrior, Cortes turned the talk up, dismissing Suarez with:
“I’ll send him back to his 9-5!”
And then went even further on social media:
“You tweaking, I’ll smack him any day of the week — him and Manny Pac-Man.”
Tough talk.
Now Mark Magsayo has the honour.
Shut this guy up — once and for all.
MAGSAYO vs CORTES
September 12, 2026 — T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Botswana’s Moabi Ngaka returns to the ring for a 6 rounds all out war against hot China prospect Hu Xiong on September 26th - more news coming soon
Credits to Luis Antonio Fabregar for the fantastic action photos taken at the August 30th 2O26 international event in Manila.
Congratulations all fighters who took part.
Papua New Guinea
Prospect Fidelis Laia started well despite wearing a couple of big shots in the opening round, to defeat the Philippines Jhon Rey Tariao by KO in the second round.
Laia stunned the opponent with a wicked jab forcing him to the canvas, then completed the job with two more knockdowns shortly after.
Big thanks to Mam Cucuy Elorde, Anthony Arieta and the opponent Jhon Rey Tariao for the opportunity to compete with the big dogs.
Well done to Fidelis Laia, who overcame lots of pre-fight difficulties to score a great win.
Afternoon session is about to start.
Papua New Guinea boxer Fidelis Laia v Jhon Rey Tariao will be fight #2
Elorde Sports Center, Parañaque City, Manila
Sunday, August 30, 2026
MORNING SESSION
Starting approximately 9:00 AM
MORNING SESSION CHAMPIONSHIP
Adam Farhan Nazrine vs Mandeep Singh
168 lbs — 8 rounds
Vacant WBC Asian Silver Super Middleweight Title
This is the championship centerpiece of the morning session.
Some particularly interesting international matchups
Hazman Siew vs Singha Siringuan
126 lbs — 6 rounds
This is especially interesting given Siew's recent breakthrough as a regional champion.
Adam Farhan Nazrine vs Mandeep Singh
168 lbs — 8 rounds
WBC Asian Silver Title
The only championship bout on the morning card.
Keng Fai Hui vs Mark Angel Sadang
160 lbs — 4 rounds
Hui brings his unusual MMA/combat-sports background into professional boxing
Weights right !
Papua New Guinea's Fidelis Laia and the Philippines' Jhon Rey Tariao both weighed in at 145 lb for tomorrow's international SIKLAB NG AGOSTO in Parañaque.
Boxers from 9 countries will be vying for supremacy on the giant 23 bout card.
And Papua New Guinea are just getting started!
Sheilla Yama has continued her unbeaten rise, defeating Australia’s Jessica Messina tonight at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.
Sheilla Yama has continued her unbeaten rise, defeating Australia’s Jessica Messina tonight at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.
With the Unanimous Decision victory, Yama successfully defended her IBF International Super Lightweight title, improving her professional record to an impressive 8-0 and rocketing to #2 in the world rankings.
Messina, who previously impressed with a victory at a VSP Promotions event in Vietnam, now moves to 8 wins and 2 losses following her defeat to Yama tonight.
Sheilla Yama and John Ume have been outstanding ambassadors for Papua New Guinea delivering strong performances in recent appearances in New Zealand.
But PNG boxing is only just getting started.
Later this month, Fidelis Laia, the Bougainville Bomber, will head into the cauldron of Asian boxing when he competes at an international professional boxing event in Manila, Philippines on August 30.
Laia will proudly represent Papua New Guinea at an event featuring professional boxers from nine different countries. The flag is flying. The fighters are rising.
Papua New Guinea is only just getting started
Some of the Philippines best young prospects will be headed to Manila later this month, to showcase their talents at the mammoth UKC XXXIV card and repel the advances of foreign invaders.
Boxers from nine countries will be competing for supremacy at this epic international event including : Papua New Guinea, Macao, Canada, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, India
One of the standout bouts on the August 30 UKC card in Manila will see two of the Philippines' brightest young prospects collide for the vacant Philippine Games & Amusements Board (GAB) Youth Super Flyweight Championship.
Geraldine Oclarit (6-2, 6 KOs) takes on Diory Boy Sixta (4-1, 4 KOs) in what promises to be an explosive contest between two 20-year-old knockout artists.
Oclarit enters the bout with six wins from eight professional outings, while Sixta has rebounded impressively with four victories in his first five fights.
Both fighters scored stoppage wins in their most recent appearances, adding even more intrigue to this evenly matched championship clash.
With a prestigious national youth title on the line, the winner will take a significant step towards establishing themselves as one of the Philippines' rising stars in the super flyweight division.
This cracking fight will take place at the Flash Grand Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Complex in Parañaque on August 30th.
What are you doing on August 30?
Watching boxing in the Philippines—that's what!
The Bougainville Bomber, Fidelis Laia, takes on the Philippines' Jhon Rey Tariao in Manila on 30 August as part of a huge international fight card.
Fidelis is ready to represent Bougainville and Papua New Guinea with ferocious intent.
Hungry dogs fight harder.
Spence is fighting Australian killer Tim Tszyu this Sunday, and despite a three-year layoff, is expected to win.
Danilo Creati was a 5x national champion, and fought in Vietnam against the excellent Ho Chi Minh City boxer Tran Duc Tho.
For the real fight fans - enjoy their contest !
It's more fun in the Philippines !
Big international event coming to the Elorde Sports Centre this August 30th.
The Bougainville Bomber Fidelis Laia gets his first taste of Philippines hospitality when he meets Mindanao's Jhon Rey Tariao in Manila.
Explosive to say the least - these boys will be looking to leave the judges out of it.
KA-BOOM !!
The "Bougainville Bomber" Fidelis Laia is set to head to the Philippines next month for a training camp and has received an invitation to compete on an exciting international fight card in Manila on 30th August.
The event will be staged at the famous Elorde Grand Ballroom, and there is no doubt the hard-hitting fighter from Bougainville would be a tremendous addition to an already star-studded, multi-national lineup.
A huge thank you to our good friends Anthony Arieta and Mam Cucuy Elorde for working hard to make this fantastic opportunity possible.
We hope to have some exciting news to share very soon!
Referees must treat 4 rounds fight with the same level of preparation, dedication, and respect as you would a 12 rounds world title fight. So how should you prepare?
1. Research about the boxers on YouTube and their style of fighting.
2. No drinking the night before. Don't eat anything that could cause stomach discomfort. Sleep early and get a good rest.
3. Prepare all your gears the night before.
4. Meditate and trust yourself that you can do it. It is not the time for self doubt.
5. Conduct yourself as if you are on the world stage for a world championship fight. Remeber that everyone is watching.
6. It's ok to make a mistake but its not okay to hesitate. When you make a call, make it loud and clear.
Know that it is not about you. It's about ensuring the safety and the fairness for the boxers who put their lives in the ring. At the end, what Tony Weeks said during the Referee training seminar encapsulates it well. "You do it for the love and respect of the sport".
#professionalboxing #proboxingreferee #IBF #Tonyweeks
