“She will win this fight.”
Those were the powerful words of coach Osea Nanovu as he backed Sera Bolatini to claim her first major boxing title when she faces Australian fighter Connie Chan on July 19 at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.
Bolatini, 24, comes from Vuma in Ovalau and has maternal links to Vanuabalavu.
She only started boxing last year but has already stepped into the professional ring twice, fighting once in New Zealand and once in Tasmania, Australia.
This will be her third professional bout, and it is her biggest yet.
She will be fighting for the WBA Oceania Super Welterweight title, a championship that recognises the best boxer in this weight division across the Oceania region.
Her opponent, Connie Chan is a more experienced boxer with 14 fights on her record, including six wins and four knockouts.
Coming off a WBA Oceania Super Welterweight title win on June 28 in Bangkok, Thailand, Chan aims to ride that momentum into her next fight against Bolatini.
But Bolatini’s coach is confident that her dedication in training will make the difference.
“I train everyday with coach,” said Sera Bolatini during the launch of the Zeg Kings Boxing Promotions event at the Vodafone Arena.
Bolatini herself is keeping her focus simple, she wants to stay positive and learn from her early matches.
“My aim is to win,” she said.
“I just want to improve on the small things from my earlier bouts. I know those mistakes and I will improve on those.”
She said boxing has helped her build confidence and learn self-defence.
“For us women, it’s a good thing to know a thing or two about it,” she said.
“I have come a long way to try and achieve what I want, and I will keep trying because I know it will come one day.”
Meanwhile, the former Fiji Airway’s Fijiana 7s player is expected to draw a large crowd on match day.
