Fiji boxing fans could get the fight they have been asking for with Mikaele Ravalaca confirming he is coming for Ubayd Haider in August.
Ravalaca and his trainer Peteresio Ranuku confirmed that Bluewater Boxing Promoter Samir Khan has approached them with an offer which they have agreed to.
Discussions started before Ravalaca flew to Australia for his fight in Melbourne over the weekend, where it was agreed that this fight could happen on August 31.
“While in Fiji I kept reminding him, Sameer Khan I want Nathan (now Ubayd Haider), but it was Haider that kept delaying this fight.
“Samir contacted me on Saturday night saying he would offer good money for that fight and so I agreed because I really want that fight to happen. As per our conversation in Fiji, he has offered me $8000 for the fight,” the Ra lad said.
The duo has long been calling each other out for a fight but it has not eventuated to date with a lot of blame games and finger-pointing happening in between.
During the Bluewater Boxing Promotion in March, Haider defeated Mohammed Ali and laid the challenge against Ravalaca following his victory.
“Haider had challenged Rakuro Daunivavana and Mika after he defeated Ali on points and we agreed to his challenge,” trainer Ranuku said.
Ranuku also claimed, “Mika went up to him and Haider said: ‘Brother this is all about the money’, so his challenge in the ring was just for a show, it was a different reaction when they met after.”
Ranuku said Ravalaca who was now based in Australia would only return to fight in Fiji if it was against Haider.
“Mika is ready, the promoter has approached him, he has agreed, and we are now waiting on Haider. From our side, our sponsor Gus Wahab and the team that we are training with, Mika cannot come back to Fiji and fight anyone other than Ubayd Haider.
“The only opponent that he has to fight that will auger well for his world ranking is Haider. We know that a lot of boxing fans in Fiji want to see this fight between Mika and Haider so we have to make it happen,” Ranuku said.
Ravalaca also said Haider’s challenge to Junior Binnu Sigh was just his way of hiding from the real fight that could happen in August.
