By Fidelis Sukina – EMTV Sports, Port Moresby
In 1974, just before independence, a boxing match was held at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium where a young Professional boxer from Kairuku, Martin Beni knocked out his opponent Colin Cassidy, the Australian lightweight champion in the 6th round, a match that is etched in PNG Boxing History.
45 years later and we caught up with Martin who is now retired and coaches Boxing in his free time.
For those that followed Pro Boxing in the late
In 1974, Martin Beni then, a 23-year-old young man from Waima in Kairuku, who just turned pro at the age of 20, went on to win the Australasian title.
Beni, five-foot-4 was known for his short arm blows against his taller opponents.
His career spanned for four years, from 1973 to 1977. Fighting in the welterweight division, he had 21 wins, of which 12 were knockouts, nine losses and two draws in his 32 professional bouts.
Today, Martin is 68-years-old and he still can’t stop talking about boxing.
All his photos were given away, only his title belt remains, along with the memories. Martin was kind enough, to show the Australasian title belt he won 45 years ago, which he still holds on to today.
“I really trained hard to the best of my abilities to come to the top. And to win the Australasian title, it’s a big achievement for me, without any (boxing) equipment’s.”
These days, Beni spends his days with the family at their little hide away home at Taurauma commonly referred to as ‘Martin Beni Beach’.
He still trains boxers at
Beni is encouraging pro boxers in Papua New Guinea to strive to do their best. Compared to his time, he had struggled and gained a name for himself in boxing in Papua New Guinea.
