Veteran boxing trainer John Ramos emphasizes the importance of amateur boxing as a stepping stone for professional boxers in his upcoming book, “Maker of Champions,” set to be launched on Saturday.
In his book, Ramos pays tribute to Hector Hatch, a former Olympian and the Fiji amateur welterweight champion, whom he considers a mentor. Ramos’s boxing journey began in 1962 at the Suva Youth Centre, where he trained under Hatch, participating in weekly amateur boxing competitions in Suva.
The Fiji Amateur Boxing Association (FABA), established in 1953 and affiliated with the Association Internationale de Boxe Amateue, played a crucial role in fostering talent in the sport. Notably, in 1956, Fiji sent boxers, including Hatch and Thomas Schuster, to the Olympic Games, marking a significant moment in the country’s boxing history.
During his tenure as an administrator from 1958 until his retirement in 1992, Hatch facilitated the rise of numerous talented amateur boxers. Ramos highlights notable achievements, such as bronze medals earned by Moses Evans and Holgar Johansen at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Australia, and later, Sani Fine’s gold medal win in 1982.
Ramos attributes much of his success and the success of other professional boxers to Hatch’s influence and leadership, stating that his passion for amateur boxing helped maintain its significance in Fiji’s sports culture. He advocates for a resurgence in amateur boxing, expressing the need for more individuals like Hatch to reignite public confidence in the sport.
The article underscores the vital connection between amateur and professional boxing and the legacy of mentorship that shapes up-and-coming athletes. It celebrates the rich history of Fiji’s boxing scene while conveying a hopeful message about the potential for future talent development. The coming days may reveal more insights from Ramos’s book, further enriching the narrative of boxing in Fiji.
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