Former light heavyweight boxing champion Iliavi Bose is no more after succumbing to a long illness at Koromumu Hospital in Nadroga last Saturday.
Bose hailed from Vatubalavu Village in Navosa which is known as the ‘Home of the Brave’ and for producing boxers such as Jone Roko, Semesa Banuve, Filipe Tuivuna and former Fiji cruiserweight champion Sakiasi ‘The Bomb’ Dakua.
It is also the home of 21-year-old boxing sensation Alivereti Doidoi Nagusudradra who recently beat Savenaca Naliva, the light heavyweight champion of Fiji.
Bose fought the likes of Leweni Waqa, Sunia Cama, Filimoni Naliva, Paula Biu, Joe Fabiano and Tomasi Kavika during a boxing career that started in 1965.
He won the light heavyweight boxing champion’s title from a boxer named Tulele.
Bose died at the age of 82.
He is survived by his wife Mereseini Naola Bose, nine children, 29 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
He will be laid to rest at his village of Vatubalavu next Wednesday.
