FIJI’S boxing community was in shock yesterday after the tragic death of flamboyant boxer Joy Ali. He was 36.
Ali died at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital at 1.30am and was buried late yesterday.
Police said he committed suicide after a domestic dispute about three weeks ago.
As tributes flowed in for the Nadi-based boxer, whose illustrious career of 20 years included 13 national titles and a number 15 world ranking in the welterweight division, his family mourned his loss, saying his one moment of anger had cost them dearly.
His sister Farina Ali said while trying to recover in hospital, Joy was still hopeful of a comeback in the ring.
She said in the end Joy lost the fight for his life and she would never forget how her brother begged her at the hospital in his last hours.
“‘I do not want to die’. These were his last words,” Ms Ali said.
She said Joy had given his best during his life and would not be easily forgotten.
“He has made us and the whole country proud with his achievements.
“My brother was a wonderful man. It’s really hard. I don’t know how we are going to cope without him.”
Boxing Commission of Fiji director Malakai Veisamasama said the death of Fiji’s former welterweight champion is a huge loss to Fiji boxing.
He said Joy was one of the best boxers to grace our shores.
Mr Veisamasama said Joy contributed a lot to the sport and was one of the few Fijian boxers to be ranked by the World Boxing Association.
“For anyone who has contributed immensely to Fiji, leaving us behind is always painful,” he said.
“He was committed to the sport, he was a very fit and committed boxer.
“If anything, he has left behind for aspiring boxers it would be the commitment he had for the sport.
“Joy was always fit and trained 365 days a year.”
Mr Veisamasama said Joy had left behind a boxing legacy for his family to be proud of.
As a 16-year-old, Joy started his boxing career in 1995 and fought against Ravind Singh at the then National Gymnasium in Suva.
He won his first title the following year when he defeated Rajendra Prasad for the Fiji lightweight title. He later won 13 titles in six weight divisions (lightweight to supermiddleweight) when boxing had several bodies in Fiji.
Mr Veisamasama said Ali’s career reached the pinnacle when he was ranked 15th by the World Boxing Association.
“The pinnacle of his career was when he was ranked 15th in the welterweight division by the World Boxing Association while being trained locally,” he said.
“From the boxing stakeholders, we convey our condolences to Mrs Ali and the Ali family.”
Local champion Joseph Kwadjo was also shocked to hear the sudden passing away of his rival.
He said he was in New Zealand when he first heard the story of Ali’s hospitalisation.
Kwadjo said Ali was one of the strongest, toughest and greatest boxers he had ever encountered.
“We went to visit him for the first time last week and last night again (Sunday) before he passed away,” he said.
“I fought twice with Joy Ali. I did not fight with other boxers much but with Joy Ali I fought with him twice.”
Ali was buried in Nadi last night.
He is survived by his wife and six children.
