Dropping from 65 to 56kgs in three weeks may have cost featherweight boxer Mikaele Ravalaca Jr his first international fight, says coach Osea Nanovu.
Nanovu said Ravalaca Jnr’s performance at the International Boxing Association Tashkent 2023 Men’s World Boxing Championship has been, nonetheless, classed outstanding.
“It’s just that time was not on his side, his body was weak when he fought because he did not have enough time to recover when he dropped from 65kg to 56kg in three weeks,” the coach said.
“If he was given another week to recover, he could have done better.”
Nanovu started his coaching career in 2010, the Yasawa lad was inspired by his father who got him a pair of gloves as a kid.
He said it had always been his dream to coach young boys and girls, to get them off the streets and to do positive things while setting them on a pathway to finding work.
“Most of the youngsters I have trained, have joined the navy, police force or become prison officers.
“Some of my boxers have even represented Fiji overseas, I am really proud of them and my work with them.
“Seven of our boxers will be leaving our shores to compete in Samoa at the Oceania Boxing Championship from the 22-25 of this month – there will be three junior boxers and four youths.”
Nanovu said Boxing Fiji was taking 10 boxers to the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands in November and December this year and the duo of Jone Koroilagilagi and Ravalaca Jnr were contenders for gold medals.
