Boxers from Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea are finalists in Honiara

Several top finals will be held at the boxing tournament of the Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands after the first part of the semi-finals.  

Australia’s Tiana Echegaray eliminated one of her main rivals already in the semi-finals, she bowed out New Zealand’s Christine Gillespie and after that success she needs only one further step to get the flight ticket to Paris against Tonga’s Hainite Tuitupou.

Australia’s new lightweight (60kg) boxer in the female squad, Tyla McDonald defeated Samoa’s Baby Nansen in the last four and she can expect a hard battle against New Zealand’s ex-Irish Erin Walsh who eliminated Tonga’s Elizabeth Teaupa in a one-sided bout.

The World Championships silver medallist Caitlin Parker had a very hard contest in the semi-finals of the women’s middleweight (75kg) against and ex-Australian boxer, Eseta Flint of Tonga but she managed to win that contest by 4:1 split decision. The 27-year-old experienced boxer will now meet New Zealand’s Deanne Read for the title and the Olympic quota.

Papua New Guinea’s Allan Oaike dominated the first round against Solomon Islands’ Ron Enoch Taniveke in the semi-finals of the men’s featherweight (57kg) and he finished their contest with heavy punches in the second. PNG’s national team member will be boxing for the gold medal with Australia’s favourite Charlie Senior who controlled his contest over New Zealand’s Alex Mukuka.

Tonga’s Roman Viney, the ex-New Zealander, eliminate his former teammate Emile Richardson and he continued his winning path against Samoa’s Jolando Taala. The light heavyweight (80kg) boxer will now face Australia’s Commonwealth Games silver medallist Callum Peters for the title.

The dream final of the men’s heavyweight (92kg) has been realized as Samoa’s Commonwealth Games runner-up Ato Plodzicki Faoagali and Australia’s veteran Adrian Paoletti advanced to the title bout.