PNG, Solomon Islands impress on first day of boxing

Papua New Guinea (PNG) and hosts Solomon Islands dominated day one of boxing at the Sol2023 Pacific Games on Monday.

Before a jam-packed Friendship Hall, PNG won five of the 23 preliminary bouts contested, following by Solomon Islands who won four. Samoa won three, followed by New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Tonga who all won two of the 23, whilst Tahiti, Nauru and Niue all won a bout each.

Kicking off today’s bouts, two-time Australian boxing champion, Tyla McDonald proved too strong for her Solomon Islands opponent, Tracy Koputu in the Women’s 60kg Lightweight opener. This was the only women’s bout on the day.

PNG’s dominance then followed with Allen Oaike (Featherweight 57kg), Jamie Chang (Bantamweight 54kg), Bid Inoino (Bantamweight 54kg) and Kantie Oaike (Light Flyweight 46-48kg) all winning their respective quarterfinal bouts to proceed to the semi-finals.

Kendu Steven all but wrapped up PNG’s opening day ring dominance by defeating hometown favourite John Isaiah Hairekoi in a tightly contested Middleweight bout to close proceedings on Monday.

Hosts, Solomon Islands also succeeded on the night with four of their boxers earning victories – two of which saw them face off against their fellow countrymen to proceed to the next phase of the competition.

Phineus Pitakoe defeated countrymen Mason Norman to proceed to the semi-finals of the Light Flyweight semis, Joshua Fafale O’oku saw off Petsy Seka in the round of 16 Welterweight bout, Osward Talaka defeated PNG’s Wani Palme in their Middleweight round of 16 bout, and crowd favourite Maximillian Makana defeated PNG’s Floyed Kunnopi to wrap up victories for the hosts.

Also winning their bouts today were:

• Charlie Senior (Australia) – Featherweight (57kg)
• Alex Mukuka (New Zealand) – Featherweight (57kg)
• Roman Viney (Tonga) – Light Heavyweight (80kg)
• Aminiasi Saratibau (Fiji) – Light Heavyweight (80kg)
• Ato Faoagali Plodzicki (Samoa) – Heavyweight (92kg)
• Preston Malcolm Matthes (New Zealand) – Heavyweight (92kg)
• Fineasi Tuipulotu (Tonga) – Welterweight (67kg)
• De Niro Pao (Niue) – Welterweight (67kg)
• Raphael Dauphin (Tahiti) – Welterweight (67kg)
• Jone Davule (Fiji) – Lightweight (60kg)
• Gaissa Jones (Nauru) – Welterweight (67kg)
• Alai Faauila (Samoa) – Welterweight (67kg)
• Saliuafi Tuautu (Samoa) – Middleweight (75kg)

Boxing continues on Tuesday starting at 1pm at Friendship Hall.

Pacific Games News Service