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The first Pacific Islander to receive an internationally recognised certificate as a professional boxing referee and judge is a Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Proud Bougainvillian, Alex Rihatta, became the first person from PNG and the Pacific Islands to be officially recognised by the World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) and the United States Boxing Council (USBC) as a qualified referee and judge in the Oceania region.
Rihatta, 43, who hails from Hanahan, was presented the certificate at a packed Sir John Guise Stadium during the last world title fights in Port Moresby by Australian referee, Brad Vocale.
Rihatta is also the chairman for the Referees and Judges for professional boxing in the country and vice president of the PNG Boxing Federation.
