NBC to broadcast PNG duo’s bouts in New Zealand

The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) announced that it will broadcast PNG’s John Ume and Kondup Samson Wailo headline BX-9 Volume 7 in New Zealand on October 3rd, 2026.

The event is exclusive to Papua New Guinea, following a new partnership between Lightspeed Limited, NBC, and Combat Sports Network (CSN).

PNG’s own top-ranked John Ume steps into the BX-9 arena again as a championship contender, facing Hamza Perwaisy in what shapes up as one of the standout bouts of the card.

Alongside Ume, seasoned PNG combat sports athlete Kondup Samson Wailo — with more than 45 kickboxing bouts to his name — makes his professional boxing debut against Niue/NZ Commonwealth Games medalist Duken Williams.

Two of Papua New Guinea’s own, both stepping up on the same night, headline what is one of the biggest NZ vs PNG professional boxing cards to date.

The pair feature on a stacked professional card taking over Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday, 3 October, which also sees the first-ever BX-9 Cruiserweight Championship.

The tournament begins with the quarter-finals. NBC will deliver the action live to Papua New Guinea across television, radio, and digital platforms.

Speaking on the partnership that has made the broadcast possible, CSN Managing Director Oz Jabur said: “The athletes, teams, and professionalism I’ve experienced working with PNG this year have been exceptional. 

“We’re looking forward to continuing this partnership and creating opportunities to showcase and develop PNG fighters on an international stage.

“We’ve already had the privilege of featuring world-title contenders such as Sheilla Yama, and now we’re seeing the rise of John Ume, Kondup Samson Wailo, and many more.

“Thank you to Lightspeed for helping bring CSN and NBC together and making this opportunity possible. 

“Bringing BX-9 Volume 7 to Papua New Guinea gives every household access to watch John Ume and Kondup Samson Wailo represent us on an international stage.

"NBC is proud to partner with CSN and Lightspeed to deliver this moment live to the people of PNG.”

Headline Bouts:

Fighters: John Ume vs. Hamza Perwaisy

Fighters: Kondup Samson Wailo vs. Duken Williams

Event: BX-9 Volume 7 

Venue: Auckland, New Zealand

Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026

PNG Broadcast Window: 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM (PNG, UTC+10)

Also on the card, a Bx-9 Cruiserweight Championship tournament quarterfinals will be staged. 

Platforms such as NBC 1, NBC Radio, NBC OTT/Digital, Digicel TV (NBC TV channel) will broadcast the event, including Papua New Guinea, with exclusive broadcasting rights. 

Fans across Papua New Guinea are encouraged to tune in to NBC 1 or NBC Radio to support John Ume, Kondup Samson Wailo, and the rest of the BX-9 Volume 7 card live from Auckland.