Boxing Commission of Fiji chairman Adi Narayan has raised his disappointment on the loss of our three top boxers over the weekend.
He is calling on local boxers to step-up and be prepared if they dare to fight overseas.
“I am disappointed, obviously, because the results were not favourable,” Narayan said.
“All boxers need to step up to another level. If you want to go and fight overseas, you’ve got to be prepared, fit, and be strong.”
Winston Hill, Mikaele Ravalacava and James Singh all lost their respective matches against their overseas opponents.
Fiji’s lightweight champion Ravalaca lost on a unanimous points decision to 19-year-old Zewdu Haymanot Desalegn of Ethiopia at the International Boxing Association International Boxing Association.
Despite his loss Narayan is proud of Ravalaca’s accomplishments as the first Fijian Boxer to participate in the championship.
“Mika Ravalaca, we are proud of his participation. He is one of the first Fijian amateur boxer and professional boxer to have done that,” Narayan said.
But he fought a good fight, but didn’t go his way, so unfortunate. And that’s all I can say about him.
IBF Pan Pacific Super Welterweight Ben Mahoney handed Fiji’s super welterweight champion Winston Hill his first professional loss to retain his title.
Mahoney sent Hill to the canvas twice in the opening round, once in the fifth before stopping him with a devastating body punch in the sixth round.
Narayan was also disappointed to see Hill go down but he has raised his concern on the match was officiated.
“Some of the punches that were thrown at Winston were foul. I mean, there was one that connected to his head and that got him forward. These are some of the things that a referee should have picked up.” Narayan said.
“And I was not very happy with the appreciating of that bout. And it’s unfortunate, he didn’t turn out in our favour. But he did fight a good fight.”
Narayan’s biggest disappointment was from Fiji’s heavyweight boxer James Singh, who was knocked out by John Figota who took the fight despite not being match ready.
“And with James Singh, well, he himself confessed that fitness was his problem,” Narayan revealed.
“Why do you sign on the dotted lines of the contract and take up that fight? Well, these are some of the things that really disappoints me.”
Narayan is calling on all trainers and mangers to prepare their fighters well if they plan on fighting overseas.
He also advises to pick realistic opponents for their fighters to ensure the fight is competitive and their boxers stand a realistic chance of wining.
