A refugee detained for almost six years on Manus Island says he hopes resurrecting his sporting career will inspire people.
Ezatullah Kakar has been boxing in Port Moresby and is preparing for another professional fight later this month.
Ezatullah Kakar Photo: Twitter / Ezatullah Kakar
He's taking on PNG's Solomon Tiamani in a cruiser-weight bout on 24 March before meeting the same opponent in a kickboxing fight in May.
Mr Kakar, who has won medals representing Pakistan, said sport was helping him to overcome trauma inflicted by his detention.
"I love to come back in my career (from) where I lost six years under politics but I don't care, I have to follow my way and be positive and be strong," Mr Kakar said.
"No one can give me my six years but whatever happened, I have to follow now my sports," he said.
"This is my dream, one day, I will be a world champion. I believe in myself and I believe in my sports and my way. I will play MMA and kickboxing and boxing fights, and I can't wait for more fights. I just need to fight and I want to go to the ring.
"This is my dream, to recover myself and teach the people. They look at my situation and the people will be coming to sports and they will play the sports.
"Sports is mentality positive for me and I can sleep well, I can eat well and I think positive each day when I play sports."
Mr Kakar said he was representing refugees detained by Australia on Manus and Nauru.
He also said he was hoping to line up a fight later this year with Samoan New Zealander boxer Junior Pati.
"I'm very ready for my upcoming fights. I will do my best and I will keep in my mind Manus and Nauru. I'm honest with those people still in prison.
"And I hope I will soon be fighting with the New Zealand fighter Junior Pati. That's my dream to fight with him."
The boxing card for 24 March. Photo: Supplied
