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RAKA SET TO FIGHT TRAN VAN THAO IN VIETNAM
Papua New Guinea Boxer Junior Kauko Raka’s fight against Vietnamese opponent Van Thao Tran is scheduled for the 15th of July next month at the Grand Ho Tram resort and casino in Vietnam.
Raka said his preparations for the fight is going great at the moment, he is currently training with his coach Ephraim Montaru, trainer Nelson John and national coach for the amateur boxers.
“I am having some spurring with Team PNG boxers who are preparing to attend the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands.”
Raka said he will get really good preparations if he goes to the Philippines to train there whilst waiting for his fight.
“I have made commitments to go to the Philippines but in terms of sponsors I’m still yet to secure one to help me travel there to prepare.”
“If I train and do some spurring in the Philippines I will be at my best fit to take up my international match.”
Raka said he is confident to win this fight and that is his main aim as it is the national championships for Vietnam and to him it means it’s the national championship for PNG.
“I’ve watched some of my opponents fights and I’ve seen some of his weaknesses and studied his movements in terms of attack and defense so if I can prepare in the Philippines, I will be able to defeat him.”
“One of my opponent Van Thao Tran’s weakness I have seen is that he does not move a lot in the ring and he moves forward all the time so I am training on how to move back and counter punch on him when he moves forward to attack me; I will move back with my punches and see gaps to swing or stop him,” added Raka.
Raka said so far there is no confirmation from any sponsors yet who have said to help me however the member for Bougainville and Minister Peter Tsiamalili has made a commitment to assist him; also from the CEO for Sports Foundation Albert Veratau who said to look into it.
There is also a company Jomik group of companies in Bougainville who have put their hands up to assist in his travel.
Raka thanked these sponsors especially the Jomik group of companies who assisted his team when they were in Buka with their airfares back to Port Moresby and their continuous support.
