Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, who is also a former boxer, expressed optimism about training local athletes in Fiji to become world boxing champions. This came as he presented the Leweni Waqa-Memorial Heavyweight Championship title to Semi Dauloloma.
Justice Temo noted that Fiji was once a dominant force in Pacific boxing, producing renowned boxers including Ledua Vere, Alipate Korovou, Sakaraia Ve, Jo Keresi, Esala Vula, Subash Chand, Basdeo, Joji Ramasima, Jo Qoro, and Veramu Dikidikilati.
However, the recent decline in the performance of Fiji’s boxing sector, beginning from the late 80s, indicates weakening standards in the sport. As a result, Fiji has been sending athletes abroad for matches, only to receive disappointing results.
After witnessing the fighting spirit of Dauloloma and James Singh, Justice Temo sees potential for Fiji to reclaim its past glory. He illustrated this by citing the success of Samoa, whose boxers Joseph Parker and Jai Opetaia recently claimed world stage victories. Parker won Zhilei Zhang’s WBO interim belt in Saudi Arabia in March, and Opetaia earned the vacant IBF cruiserweight title against Mairis Briedis in a grueling 12-round bout last month.
Justice Temo firmly believes in the untapped potential of Fijian boxers and insists that, with proper training and determination, they can again dominate internationally.