Australia-based boxer Shiva Mishra arrived in the country yesterday ahead of the South Pacific Boxing Promotion tournament at Nadi’s Prince Charles Park tomorrow.
The 31-year-old is thrilled to be given the opportunity by South Pacific Boxing Promotion director Mohammed Saneem and promoter Freddy Chand to compete.
“I’m excited to be here and come and fight in Fiji for a long time, I’m finally here and got this opportunity,” Mishra expressed.
Shiva Mishra comes from a family with a boxing legacy, as his uncle Yogeshwar Singh was a former Fiji amateur and professional boxer in the 90s.
He is eager to continue and uphold the family tradition. He currently trains with the Fortitude Boxing Club in Brisbane, Australia.
Shiva is set to face off against Mohammed Ali of Nadi in the lightweight contest.
Despite the anticipation, Mishra emphasizes that he will not underestimate his opponent and has been putting in rigorous training sessions.
“I will not take my opponent lightly, but I have been training hard.”
Adding to the excitement, Shiva’s mother, Anjila Mishra, based in Wellington, New Zealand, has also travelled to Fiji to witness her son’s fight.
Her joy was evident as she reunited with her son after four months.
“I’m very proud of Shiva, he is a very hardworking boy and I’m excited to see him and give him my best wishes along with other boxers that will be fighting on that night,” Anjila excitedly said.
Anjila told the story on how Shiva got introduced to boxing.
“One day when he was small, we came to Fiji for Christmas and his grandfather gave him a boxing gloves from Rups Big Bear,” she added.
