World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Asia Pacific super welterweight champion Jese Ravudi is calling for challengers locally and abroad for his newly acclaimed belt.
Ravudi is the inaugural keeper of the title after beating Ronald Naidu in the Kiran Boxing Promotion program at Prince Charles Park in Nadi last Saturday.
“I thank God for giving me the victory,” Ravudi said.
“I also thank my family, my father Joe Ravudi and Imtiaz Dean and his company, Deans Auto Spares and Outborad Parts Ltd, for sponsoring me. Dean looked after my diet, my training gear, uniform and helped me a lot in that program. He helped me get the title to Nausori.”
Ravudi said he was ready to accept challenges and called on promoters to be fair to boxers.
“I will let money talk this time, even for the rematch. Money will talk now. I know there were differences in our payment arrangements during this second fight. It was not fair. This time my father will help me and I am doing this because I want boxers to be treated fairly and well.”
His father, who did not ever lose on knockout in his career, said Jese proved himself by winning the title.
“I am happy for what he has achieved because it kept our family legacy alive in boxing. He trained himself like what I used to do. He sacrificed, overcame a lot of difficulties, isolated himself in the jungle and he listened to advices. My role was mainly to advise and inspire him. He was fitter than the past fight and I am happy for him. I’ll help in in the next fights but the promoters should be fair to all boxers.”
Dean said Jese restored Naitasiri and Nausori Town pride after rugby fell in the Skipper Cup final against Suva.
“I always watch boxing when I was young. I watched all of Joe Ravudi’s fights. He is the best counter-puncher in Fiji, so when Jese approached me for help, I knew he has his father’s tactics. That’s why I helped. I will continue to help Jese because he restored the sporting pride of Nausori and other businesses should help boxers and other sports.”
