Fiji Amateur Boxing Association will be using this weekend’s 2023 Dayal’s Steel Golden Gloves Championship as the first out of three trials in selecting boxers for the Pacific Games at the end of the year.
FABA president Manasa Baravilala said there were two monthly amateur bouts for the next few months as part of their calendar.
“We expect to name our boxers for the Pacific Games by the end of May,” Baravilala said.
“So by then, we will have already conducted the three trials starting this weekend.”
Baravilala said this was to ensure that the national coach Cam Todd had the necessary lead time to prepare the team for PG2023.
“This selection is critical because the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara is the qualification tournament for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“We no longer have to compete against Asian Boxers in Asia to qualify,” he said.
“Those who can win medals can potentially qualify for the Olympic Games and represent Fiji.”
The fights will be held from February 24-25 at the Commander Stan Brown Boxing Gym in Walu Bay, Suva.
“It will start at 11 am and tickets can be bought at the entrance to the gym,” Baravilala said.
“Todd will be one of the three selectors who will be present at the competition this weekend.”
Todd was to arrive yesterday as he will be part of the national selectors for the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands in November.
