JUNIOR Binnu Singh needed less than one round to prove why he remains the WBA Oceania Super Bantamweight champion, stopping India’s Harjot Singh in the opening round of the Kings Boxing Promotions Bad Blood Show at the Vodafone Arena in Suva on Saturday night.
Originally scheduled as the main supporting contest, Binnu’s title defence was elevated to the headline bout after Mika Ravalaca’s opponent withdrew from the promotion.
The Valley Road-based champion wasted little time asserting his dominance, overwhelming Harjot with a flurry of punches before the referee stepped in to end the contest in the first round.
“It was important for me to make a statement,” Binnu said after the fight. “I trained hard for this title defence and I’m happy to retain my belt in front of the home crowd. I’m ready for whatever challenge comes next.”
The main supporting bout also ended inside the distance as Ravalaca stopped late replacement Jone Tabuarua in the second round. Despite taking the fight at short notice, Tabuarua showed plenty of determination before Ravalaca’s relentless pressure forced the stoppage.
“I respect Jone for accepting the fight at the last minute,” Ravalaca said. “I was prepared for a tough contest regardless of who stood in front of me, and I’m pleased with the performance.”
Fiji heavyweight champion Semi Dauloloma was pushed the distance by the durable Senivalati Ratu in one of the night’s most competitive contests. After six hard-fought rounds, Dauloloma earned a unanimous points decision to maintain his unbeaten run.
The result was quickly followed by a challenge from fellow heavyweight Joseph Kwadjo, who impressed with a fourth-round stoppage victory over Kimo Vakalalabure.
Kwadjo dominated the contest before forcing the referee to halt the fight in the fourth round. Afterwards, he made his intentions clear.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Semi, but I believe it’s time we settled who is the best heavyweight around,” Kwadjo said. “The fans deserve that fight, and I’m ready whenever he is.”
Dauloloma welcomed the challenge, saying he would never shy away from facing the division’s top contenders.
“If that’s the fight the fans want, then let’s make it happen,” he said. “I’m always ready to defend my reputation in the ring.”
Elsewhere on the card, Isikeli Senidoko stopped Filise Nabua in another entertaining contest, while Lidia Qarasaumaka produced a composed display to defeat India’s Anam Khan by points.
One of the night’s biggest talking points came from Nauru’s Rock Anson, who enjoyed a dream professional debut by stopping Masitogi Rokotuva in their super welterweight contest.
The impressive performance announced Anson as another promising talent to watch in the Pacific boxing scene.
Kings Boxing Promotions delivered an action-packed evening, with five of the seven bouts ending inside the distance and an enthusiastic crowd treated to a series of explosive performances.
The promotion also set the stage for several intriguing future match-ups, with a potential heavyweight showdown between Dauloloma and Kwadjo now looming as one of Fiji boxing’s most anticipated contests.
