The boxing tournament of the 2015 Pacific Games has now ended in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, where the host nation won six gold medals on a thrilling final day.

Gold medal winners from the Men’s competition

• 49 kg: Charles Keama, Papua New Guinea
• 52 kg: Lui Magaiva, Papua New Guinea
• 56 kg: Henry Umings, Papua New Guinea
• 60 kg: Thadius Katua, Papua New Guinea
• 64 kg: Tom Boga, Papua New Guinea
• 69 kg: Louis D’Anglebermes, New Caledonia
• 75 kg: Jonathan Keama, Papua New Guinea
• 81 kg: Luke Hema, New Caledonia
• 91 kg: Heimata Neuffer, Tahiti
• +91 kg: Ariitea Putoa, Tahiti

Bout of the day

Papua New Guinea’s 22-year-old Henry Umings impressed his local fans in the Bantamweight (56 kg) final when he defeated Tahiti’s Roger Waoute for the gold medal.

Umings began the spectacular bout with different tactics from his earlier contests, and his accurate punches made their mark often and powerfully.

Waoute improved his movement in the second frame, but Umings once again enjoyed the best of the round.

The Tahiti athlete impressed in the last three minutes, but it was Umings who had won the overall contest, and he achieved his career highlight with gold at the Pacific Games.

Team of the day

Aside from Henry Umings, Papua New Guinea claimed a further five gold medals as all of their finalists emerged victorious to place the host nation top of the team rankings.

AIBA Oceanian Olympic Qualifier silver medallist Charles Keama claimed their first gold at Light Flyweight (49 kg) when he stopped Tahiti’s Matauarii Ienfa in the first round of their bout.

AIBA World Boxing Championships competitor Lui Magaiva then won all of the rounds in the Flyweight (52 kg) final against Nauru’s 21-year-old Teroi Ketner.

Papua New Guinea’s 18-year-old Lightweight (60 kg) sensation Thadius Katua became the youngest gold medallist in the 2015 Pacific Games after twice knocking down Samoa’s experienced Kaisa Ioane in their final.

Team captain Tom Boga walked over to Light Welterweight (64 kg) gold, while Papua New Guinea’s sixth triumph was achieved by Jonathan Keama who stopped Tahiti’s Tautuarii Nena in the final of the Middleweight (75 kg) class.

Surprise of the day

Tonga’s Sepasitiano Hurrell Lavemai enjoyed two great victories on the road to the Super Heavyweight (91+ kg) final after beating Samoa’s Paddy Junior Leuii and Nauru’s former titleholder Jake Ageidu.

Those victories took much out of the Tongan boxer however, as he was unable to perform at his best against Tahiti’s newly crowned National Champion 20-year-old Ariitea Putoa.

Putoa was the younger fighter in the gold medal bout, and his energy and tenacity earned him the Super Heavyweight (91+ kg) crown against his excellent rival.

Ones to watch

Tahiti’s Heimata Neuffer enjoyed a successful Heavyweight (91 kg) final over Fiji’s Viliame Vutikalulu as his accurate and varied punches resulted in a deserved victory, while New Caledonia’s Louis D’Anglebermes dominated the Welterweight (69 kg) final against Fiji’s Suva-based Winston Hill from the first seconds.

Fact of the day

Tahiti won two boxing gold medals, while both New Caledonia finalists achieved excellent victories in Port Moresby.

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