BY LESLEY FOINAGWA
THE most anticipated boxing extravaganza will see eight Solomon Islands amateur boxers take to the ring at Pacific Casino in Honiara tomorrow night.
21-year-old Delnita Angikitasi from the province of Guadalcanal, and Rennell and Bellona will make her fight debut against a female Papua New Guinean (PNG) boxer in the 75 kg middleweight category.
“It will be my first time to take on the challenge into the ring against a regional fighter on home soil, however, I am confident to step into the ring and take on my opponent and make our country proud,” Delnita told RAW SPORTS.
Osward Talaka from Shortland Islands in the Western Province and Petsy Seka from Choiseul province will also make their debut when they jump into the ring tomorrow night in front of the home fans against their PNG opponents.
Petsy and Osward will compete in the welterweight category (63.5 kg and 69 kg respectively) in the night fight competition.
“I am very optimistic and confident to take on whatever opponent. I know that Papua New Guinea has experienced fighters but that will not deter my intentions of delivering my best in the ring tomorrow night,” Petsy said.
Osward told RAW SPORTS that he is not worried about any of his opponents, but he will beat any fighter made available tomorrow night.
“I am excited and ready to win my debut fight; I have many reasons to prove that since I have worked hard over the previous months for such a competition.
“I am calling on our home crowd here to get behind this great event,” he said.
The two-night amateur boxing championship which starts tomorrow (from 26 to 27 October) aims to test the country’s 2023 Pacific Games boxing training squad capabilities and confidence.
Of the eight selected amateur boxers of the national training squad, there are six males and two females. They are Petsy Seka – 63.5 kg (light welterweight), Remberton Lele – 60 kg (lightweight), Joshua Oaku – 67 kg (welterweight), Oswan Talaka – 71 kg (light-middleweight), Isiah Hairekoi – 75 kg (middleweight), Francis Fora – 80 kg (light heavyweight), Delnita Angitasi – 75 kg (middleweight) and Timoli Bari – 60 kg (lightweight).
