National Rugby League (NRL) fans here in Papua New Guinea, great news for you, this coming Independence weekend will see two former top Australian rugby league players grace us with their presence at the independence professional boxing showdown here in Port Moresby city. Sam Thaiday aka Slamming Sam, who is a former Bronco and Queensland Marrons who played as a second rower, prop and also as a Hooker, will be joined by another former NRL star too, John Hopoate, who played for clubs like Manly Sea Eagles and West Tigers and also appeared for NSW Blues in 1995 and was also a former boxer. These two greats will be involved in an exhibition bout at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex on Saturday 14th September. Oceania Fight Promotions Managing Director Maryanne Millie said the two will be arriving on Thursday with their respective teams and accompanied by a former Australia world title holder Barry Michael. Michael, who won the IBF (International Boxing Federation) super middleweight title in 1985, is now a leading Australian pro boxing promoter. “Those passionate about boxing in PNG are grateful for his commitment to work closely with OFP to help grow the sport in the country.” The boxing sport has great potential to provide various benefits to the country like promoting sports tourism among other benefits and anyone assisting in any capacity has been commended for their support. Millie mentioned Air Niugini as one such supporter who is assisting with the airline tickets. “The Thaiday-Hopoate challenge is part of the Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) Fight Night on Sunday night, which has PNG’s leading pro boxer Junior Kauko Raka taking on Indonesia’s Ricky Manufoe in the 60kg 6x3 match-up as the main bout.” “An additional bout to look forward to would be two-time Olympian John Ume who will be making his professional debut.” Mr. Millie added also that other amateur boxers who have already made their professional debuts include Jamie Chang, who won gold at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Female medalists Liranda Kidu and Goli Bali will also feature on the night against other PNG opponents in a program that is promising to be an exciting exhibition of local talent. Tom Boga, who captained the 2015 Pacific Games team and won gold, is also on the fight card for the event which is scheduled to start at 5pm, Millie said. “The day is expected to start earlier with top PNG amateur boxers up against each other as they showcase their talents.”