Bringing three International Boxing Organisation (IBO) Asia Pacific titles to be contested in Fiji comes with significant financial demands. This entails accommodating top boxers from the region, their coaches, and IBO officials to ensure compliance with all regulations. Additionally, the event must meet the requirements set by the Boxing Commission of Fiji.
Mohammed Shameem, director of South Pacific Boxing Promotions, stated, “I’ve to spend over $100,000 to put this promotion together.” The Vancouver-based businessman expressed his deep-rooted passion for boxing, which began in the 1960s when he first experienced the sport through his late father, Noor Mohammed, a promoter. He reminisced about watching his father’s promotion, recalling the moment when Filimoni Naliva defeated Marika Naivalu for the Fiji heavyweight title at Ba’s Civic Theatre.
Shameem, a successful businessman, is dedicated to supporting local communities. “To me, Fiji is always home,” he affirmed. He returned years ago to help promote Naliva’s son, Savenaca, into becoming Fiji’s light heavyweight champion. Tomorrow’s event marks his 19th promotion, with the South Pacific Boxing Promotions having organized events in Ba, Lautoka, and Labasa, supporting various clubs and boxers along the way.
Despite facing financial losses in many of his promotions, Shameem finds fulfillment in making a positive impact in people’s lives. The event will also feature global sports icon Sonny Bill Williams as the chief guest, who is expected to visit schools and hospitals to discuss the dangers of drug use with the youth.
“This is the biggest event I have done in all these years,” Shameem mentioned. With three IBO titles and one Fiji title up for grabs, he emphasized that this is an opportunity for Fijian boxers to demonstrate their potential to become world champions.
In other event news, Australia’s knockout specialist Tonga Tongotongo has arrived in Fiji to defend his IBO Asia Pacific cruiserweight title against local fighter Sebastian ‘The Sniper’ Singh. Tongotongo boasts an impressive record of eight knockout wins and acknowledged Singh as a tough opponent.
Also on the same flight was Lachlan O’Shea, who will challenge Winston Hill for the IBO Asia Pacific super welterweight title. The former Queensland State champion expressed his excitement in taking on the role of challenger, stating, “We will have a good toe-to-toe in the middle of the ring. It will be tough, but I’m looking forward to it.”
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