Three leading Australian trainers are set to bring their boxers to the South Pacific Boxing Promotions event at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Saturday, October 26. This announcement was made by IBO (International Boxing Organisation) Fight Commissioner Justin Kennedy.
Trainer Stephen Ng from Matrix Boxing will be preparing Lachlan O’Shea, who is set to challenge Winston Hill for the IBO Asia Pacific super welterweight title in the headline match.
Accompanying Australia’s knockout specialist Tonga Tongotongo is his trainer, Stephen Pasras, founder and head of Black Diamond Boxing and Fitness Centre. Tongotongo, who has achieved eight victories by knockout in his professional career, will face local fighter Sebastian ‘The Sniper’ Singh in a 10-round bout for the IBO Asia Pacific cruiserweight title.
Meanwhile, Runqi Zhou from China, who is currently based in Australia, is being trained by the notable Angelo Hyder. Zhou will compete against the stylish Umbayd Haider in a 10-round match for the IBO Oceania-Orient featherweight title. Kennedy noted that this fight is particularly intriguing as Haider previously trained under Hyder.
Hyder has a history of successfully guiding Australian boxers Danny Green, Vic Darchinyan, and Andrew Moloney to world titles in their respective weight classes.
Kennedy confirmed that all IBO title fights have received proper sanctioning. He also mentioned that SPBP director Mohammed Shameem has taken care of the sanctioning fees, as well as the airfares and accommodation for the boxers, trainers, and officials.