DUBBED as the fight of the decade —— the much anticipated boxing battle between rising star Sebastian ‘The Sniper’ Singh and Junior ‘The Razor’ Farzan will put to rest all doubts as who is the true champion.
War of words have erupted from the two boxers for the past 13 months challenging each other for a fight unfortunately no promoter was able to bring the two together for a fight.
Now the million dollar question fans have been looking for will be answered on June 30 when the Canada Fiji Southern Boxing Promotion will promote this titanic battle.
Both boxers are champions in their own rights and it will be a clash of an experienced boxer and a new kid on the block —— something similar to the recent WBA battle between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klistschko.
The 23-year-old Singh was only five years old when Farzan made his professional debut against Penioni Tamaya in 1999.
The 37-year-old Farzan has a wealth of experience under his belt with 37 professional fights, winning 28 with 19 knockout, seven losses and two draws while Singh has a total of 10 fights winning eight with five knockout and two losses.
Singh has predicted a sixth round knockout while Farzan wanted to end the fight before the sixth round.
“Junior knows every trick in the book, he has been there and done that and fought some of the best fighters in the Oceania region and I give him the respect and also to his dad and late brother. They have done a lot for Fiji boxing, but I guess it’s time for a new hero to take the Fiji banner on to the next level,” said Singh.
“I am predicting a six round knockout win and I am confident of winning.”
Responding to Singh’s comment, Farzan said he would stop Singh before the sixth round.”
Boxing Commission of Fiji chairman Sara Bulutani thanked Canadian businessman Mohammed Shameen who funded the $50,000 program —— setting the platform for the first promotion under the newly elected BCF board members.
He also thanked the co-promoter Simon Naushad and Shameen for their commitment to relive the golden days of Fiji boxing.
Bulutani said Fiji had groomed some of the finest boxers in the 70s, 80s and 90s and the aim of the commission was to relive those wonderful moments in unearthing new talents and to expose them to top level fights .
“The Canada Fiji Southern Boxing Promotion is a classic example of the types of fights we want to promote,” he said.
“And it is not the main bout that is interesting as we have many quality fights being lined up for the night.
“Having quality fight and good boxers will lift the standard of boxing in Fiji and it’s grateful that the upcoming promotion will lay the platform for future programs under the new board.
“For the main bout it is indeed what everybody has been waiting for —— the clash of the two champions.
“I thank Shameen and Naushad for stepping forward to help lift the standard of the sport.”
Bulutani said the program would inspire other promoters to expose local boxers for quality competition.
“This is a good platform to start with in terms of taking back professional boxing to where it was before.
“We are expecting the upcoming program to challenge other promoters to better the standard of boxing in Fiji.”
Bulutani said if Fiji could produce local rugby players to become the best in the world there was no issue in grooming local boxers to become world champions as well.
“We have proved that our local boys are world 7s champions and I don’t see any problem why we cannot do the same in boxing.”
He also commended Shameen and Naushad for their plan to involve women boxing in their program.
“Most interestingly is the women boxers. Women participation is crucial and a milestone achievement for the sport in Fiji.”
Bulutani said he was pleased to see the Naliva name back in the boxing ring.
“The late Filimoni Naliva is a renowned boxing champion and it’s fantastic to see his two sons also featuring in this program where one of them will battle Joseph Kwadjo in the main supporting bout.
“It is also interesting to see the return fight between Abhay Chand and Opeti Tagi and this is the type of fights fans love to watch.”
Canada Fiji Southern Boxing director Mohammed Shameen said he was honoured to be given the opportunity to revive the sport.
Co-promoter Naushad said the Sniper-Razor fight was a much awaited fight the nation had been waiting for.
“We have also revived some of the renowned boxing names with the aim of bringing back Fiji’s golden era. Our new promotion has a budget of $50,000 sponsorship from Canada by businessman Mohammed Shameem himself.
“In this first promotion with upcoming rising star Sebastian Singh to fight the evergreen Junior Farzan Ali in the much anticipated main bout,” Naushad said.
“Having these two boxers in the program is part of the wholesome vibe for the night. The pay package is great especially for this young generation.
“This is a sort of partnership where we are able to unearth more great boxers. There are more boxers in Fiji and this program is all about the sports and not for money.
“It’s good to see the number of boxes who are showing interest in joining our program. Some of them are desperate to sign up as well, but we have been able get the best of the best for this program.”
He said the next program scheduled in Suva on September would include a title fight.
