MIKAELE Ravalaca’s participation in the International Boxing Association (IBA) has sparked fresh debate and opportunity within Fiji’s boxing scene.
According to his coach, Osea Nanovu, Fiji is now once again registered with the IBA. This development means Fiji will have two boxing bodies, the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and the IBA operating concurrently.
Fiji’s long-standing affiliation with the IBA, dating back to the 1950s, ended in 2023 after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expelled the IBA from the Olympic movement in June 2023. The expulsion was due to concerns over governance, financial transparency, and judging integrity.
With the IBA no longer overseeing Olympic boxing or qualifiers, the Fiji Amateur Boxing Association (FABA) aligned itself with the WBO to ensure local boxers could compete in IOC-sanctioned events such as the Pacific Games and the Olympics.
Nanovu believes Fiji’s re-registration with the IBA offers new opportunities for local fighters, as the IBA’s amateur competitions allow both amateurs and professionals to compete. This rule enabled Ravalaca, a professional, to fight at the IBA World Championships in Dubai.
“IBA amateur allows professional boxers to fight in their program, that’s why Mika (Ravalaca) as a professional was allowed to fight in their program (IBA World Championships),” Nanovu said.
He also claimed the IBA offers higher prize money, with over $8 million available at this year’s World Championships.
However, national amateur coach Cam Todd strongly disputes Nanovu’s claims, affirming that FABA is the only amateur boxing body recognised by the IOC and FASANOC in Fiji.
Todd accused the IBA of bypassing regulations by inviting Ravalaca without FABA’s endorsement.
“He (Ravalaca) went over on his own accord, I think he was assisted by Seru Whippy and who was also not part of the FABA and Osea Nanovu who is actually a suspended coach under Fiji amateur boxing” Todd said.
The association has warned that anyone involved with the IBA risks removal from FABA.
The situation marks a complex chapter in Fijian boxing, with the sport’s governance and future prospects at a crossroads.
