Port Moresby (The National) – PAPUA New Guinea’s boxers all bowed out of competition at the Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualifiers in Quian’an, China, with welterweight Andrew Asaiga losing to Iranian Sajjad Kazemzadehposhtiri on Monday.
Jonathan Keama, lost his middleweight (75kg) bout to Australia’s Jason Lewis via a unanimous decision on Sunday.
Keama, after a courageous start in his bout, succumbed to his Australian opponent despite starting confidently and was looking in good shape until a cut to his left eye in the second round hindered his progress.
Asaiga, known for his power and rock solid chin, kept the scoring close on the judges’ cards, losing 29-28 twice and 30-27 in the third and final round.
Keama, who was seeded No 3 in his division, continued his rivalry with Lewis from the Oceania championship in Melbourne last year. This time, Keama knew his opponent better and using his better reach, kept Lewis in check with his jab, looking for the right opportunity to follow up with scoring shots.
However, the Australian was equal to the task and ended up winning the bout 3-0, scoring 30 in all three rounds to Keama’s 28.
Charles Keama, 52kg, and Thadius Katua, 60kg, dropped out of the competition on Saturday.
However, Katua’s bout became one which surprised many, including coach Joe Aufa and the Carteret Islander.
They thought he had beaten his Iraq opponent until the official decision was announced.
A soft-spoken young man he had said after the bout:
“Yes, mi ting mi win (I thought I won),” Katua said in Tok Pisin.
Other countries from the Oceania region, expressed their sympathies.
