Before the likes of Mohammed Ali and Nathan Singh, the boxing world was under the management of All Star Promotions Ltd.
This was around the time that VC Naidu of Tavua, who retired as the heavyweight wrestling champion of Fiji and the South Seas, had won several matches in London against renowned wrestlers from other countries.
On February 12, 1960, The Fiji times reported that Naidu defeated Ali Mohammed of Labasa to win the South Seas title a few years before his departure from Fiji.
He defeated Tiger Shankar in 1956. In the rematch, Shankar triumphed.
The article stated that from London, Mr J L Narayan wrote that Naidu had competed against notable wrestlers from North America, Europe, and Canada.
Naidu faced the heavyweight champions of Germany, Scotland’s “Iron Man,” Red McKenzie, the Glasgow champion, and Poland, with all three encounters culminating in draws.
In the fourth round at Croydon, Mr Narayan said Naidu had defeated the Canadian champion.
According to the article, he defeated Glasgow champ McKenzie at the London Caledonian Baths in 1959.
The British heavyweight champion, Bert Asirati, was Naidu’s opponent in his previous two fights (22st).
For both matches, Naidu weighed in at sixteenth. In the opening fight held in London’s Symor Hall, Naidu managed two falls. He performed the same move again, and he got hurt in this battle.
The Fiji Times reported, Mr Narayan as saying Naidu received training from renowned wrestlers like India’s Ajeet Singh. He suggested that before heading back to Fiji, Naidu should go on a wrestling tour to Australia, New Zealand, and India.
Later in 1960, he hoped to face the world champion.
