SEVEN countries are set to compete in an exciting amateur boxing showdown at the upcoming Pacific Nations competition to be held at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva this Friday and Saturday.
Organised by the Fiji Amateur Boxing Association (FABA), top boxers from Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Australia, New Zealand, Nauru, and hosts Fiji are expected to take part in the two-day event.
The competition will showcase all levels of amateur boxing, from sub-juniors (under-15) through to the elite level.
With New Zealand anticipated to bring the largest team, organisers expect 25 to 26 bouts per day, with 26 gold medals up for grabs throughout the competition.
Fiji’s national team will also feature alongside strong contenders from local boxing clubs.
FABA head coach Cam Todd is looking forward to a great outing for his boxers in their first international competition of the year.
“We’re looking for a strong performance, so it’s good to have Samoa who is always very strong and Papua New Guinea who we haven’t really seen since the Pacific Games, but there are always tough,” he said.
“So, I’m excited about how that’s going to go along with the large team from New Zealand. So, it’ll be good.”
Todd also highlighted the women’s category as one to watch, with several national and Pacific Games champions confirmed to compete.
“There’s also an increased number of female boxers. We have a multiple national champion from New Zealand coming up who’s representing Samoa; PNG have got a couple of female boxers who won Pacific Games gold medals in 2023. Plus a strong contingent from Fiji, so I’m excited about that.”
