Raka eyeing redemption on home soil

Papua New Guinea lightweight boxing champion Junior Kauka Raka is adamant on putting a brave fight against Indonesian champion Manufoe Ricky in a professional exhibition fight.

Raka and Ricky will face off in the main bout of the Oceania Fight Promotions organized exhibition event in Port Moresby on September 14 at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex.

The showdown will be staged in 6 two-minute rounds and will be the main highlight of the OFP Fight Night showdown after former Australian Rugby League stars Sam Thaiday and Will Hopoate spell.   

Raka, who is locally undefeated, has been struggling to regain his international status since losing his last professional fight on home soil in 2021.

The PNG boxing prodigy who lost his World Boxing Association Asia super featherweight title to Philippines Roldan Aldea by unanimous decision in Port Moresby, would be seeking redemption against Ricky in front of home fans next month.

Raka told NBC News that preparations are on par for the September fight and has sent a message out to boxing followers that he won’t disappoint this time around.

“I won’t let PNG down this time,” Raka said.

“I’m looking forward to the event with my team and preparations have been going well.”

The PNG homegrown product was initially preparing for a fight in Vietnam this month but due to some circumstances faced by the organizers, the event has been postponed to October.

With the postponement, Raka has shifted his focus to the OFP event and he is ready to embrace the challenge by the Indonesia champ.

The Surakarta-based fighter has a professional fight record of 31 wins with 39 losses and 3 draws under his belt whilst Raka, who is clearly the underdog in the upcoming bout, has 6 professional fights of which only 2 were won.

Raka acknowledged OFP for the opportunity to possible reclaim his international phenomenon when he faces Ricky in the nation’s capital.