Young boxer to participate in Kokoda boxing challenge
Two bouts providing cadet and youth boxers international exposure for the first time at home will headline PNG Boxing Union’s annual 2026 Kokoda Cup challenge in Port Moresby this Sunday.
Queensland’s Hunter Haumara Webber, at 10 years of age, will face off against Shadrach Vake in the country’s first ever international 36-kilogram bout at the Lamana Hotel’s Arena.
Hunter is part Papua New Guinean, from father Derek Webber whose mother is originally from Yule Island in the Central Province.
Derek proposed to his now Australian wife Kellie on the Kokoda Trail in 2014. They now have three children, with Hunter’s siblings part of the travelling party to watch him fight.
The family party includes Hunter’s grandparents, Philip Webber and Judy, aunty Samatha (Derek’s sister), Silvia Haurama (Judy’s sister) and Ian Preston (Kellie’s father).
They form the 27-member supporters' group from Queensland and eight from New South Wales, comprising parents and family members who will be here to watch the boxers and experience Port Moresby during the few days stay.
Sean Baker, a 15-year-old from Queensland, will meet PNG’s Lazarus Kamali in the youth category in the 51kg division.
Sean’s father spent some of his younger years in Port Moresby many years back will be part of the travelling party to watch his son fight and visit places he has fond memories of.
Also included in the Queensland team will be Mili Saul, who has pledged her allegiance to PNG to push for selection in our boxing team once her passport issues are sorted out.
She is part Milne Bay and participated in the past couple of PNG National Boxing Championships.
Minister for Works & Highways Peter Tsiamalii Jnr has been invited to open the event and PNG Boxing Union is grateful to the Regional Member for Bougainville for “gracing us with his presence” at this event.
PNGBU President Dr Gideon Kendino said Mr Tsiamalili Jnr is very familiar with sports having been a topline administrator, his last job before becoming a politician, being the Executive Director for the Government’s Lead Agency for Sport – PNG Sports Foundation.
Secretary General Martin Liri said inviting someone who understands the sports dynamics and the value it brings to a country’s people and would resonate with his messages during his opening speech.
Liri said the Kokoda Cup is also an activity that contributes to other country initiatives like promoting tourism and to a certain scale bringing in foreign exchange.
“It also promotes the long history between Australia and PNG, reminding us of the relationship that shone brightest during World War 2.
Leaders like Tsiamalili Jnr know that so he will say more at his level on Sunday,” Liri added Kedino said: “Since joining politics Tsiamalili Jnr continues to support boxing in many ways so we are grateful for his support at all levels – at grassroots, association, provincial and National levels for not just amateur but professional boxing as well.
Queensland has nine (9) boxers while NSW has eight (8) boxers who will meet their PNG opponents in 18 bouts whereby “our Commonwealth Games boxers and management will use the opportunity to monitor how our preparations are at”, Kendino said.
The Kokoda Cup is now a permanent part of their calendar as it not only provides quality international competitions for “our boxers but doubles up as a major activity to raise funds for the Union’s various programs”.
Kendino is very thankful of the continuous support from the sponsors and the partners.