PROMISING welterweight Ronald Naidu is hoping to take on Saimoni Ratu in his next fight.

Impressive Naidu battled to a draw against Johnny ‘Machine Gun’ Singh in Nadi earlier this month and is keen to test Ratu, who is the country’s top contender for the vacant Fiji light welterweight title.

Naidu’s record on boxrec.com includes three wins, one loss and two draws. Ratu has a record of five wins and three losses. He is unbeaten in his last four fights. Mulomulo Boxing Club’s trainer Chanchal Babba said he was pleased with Naidu’s improvement.

“We had a good fight against Johnny Singh. We think we won that fight,” he said.

“Naidu wants to fight Saimoni Ratu now. It will be another top fight. We can also consider a return bout against Johnny Singh.”

Babba said Naidu needed four or five more fights before challenging champion Junior “The Razor” Farzan Ali for the Fiji welterweight title.

“To fight the Razor, it will take time. Naidu needs some fights next year and by 2017, he should be able to challenge the champion,” he said.

Regarding MBC’s hot middleweight prospect Siliveni Nawai, Babba said they were hoping for a return bout against Osea Nakanacagi, whom Nawai beat on points this year.

“Already Nawai has beaten two big boxers like Wahid Khan and Osea this year,” Babba said.

“We welcome boxers out there in the 72kg-75kg to come forward but we don’t think there are quality opponents for him. We hope promoters will come forward with opponents.”

Nawai is unbeaten in five fights. Babba said both boxers were enjoying a break during the festive season and would resume training on January 4. MBC is sponsored by Mana Flyer Fiji Ltd and Shop N Save.