Boxer Saimoni Ratu arrived in Labasa yesterday with a singular goal: to win the vacant Fiji lightweight title and advance his boxing career.
In an interview with SUNsports, the powerful Serea native from Naitasiri expressed the gravity of the upcoming title fight against Umbayd Haider at Labasa’s Subrail Park tomorrow, stating that a loss would lead to his retirement from the sport.
“I’m in a do-or-die situation,” Ratu declared.
His boxing journey began at age 14 as an amateur, and he had the honor of representing Fiji by age 16, although he could have done so earlier had he not been underage.
“I love the sport, but if I lose to Haider then I’m retiring, but if I win, I’ll continue fighting. I’m going for a win, and I’m confident about it,” he remarked.
Ratu comes from a lineage of boxers, with his older brothers Joeli Naleca, Waisele Ratu, and Opeti Tagi all having claimed Fiji titles in their respective weight classes.
Ratu praised his father, Saula Naicori, who has trained him despite facing health challenges and accompanied him to Labasa. “I’m blessed to be here with my dad,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to Mohammed Shaheem, the director of South Pacific Boxing Promotions, and promoter Fred Chand for providing him with this opportunity and for their support during his training.
Haider recently secured the Fiji super featherweight title by stopping Krishnil Mudaliar in the eighth round in July, while Ratu made headlines last year when he knocked out Mudaliar in the first round.
“We’re fighting in the 61 kilos against Haider, and I have no problem making the weight during the weigh-in. I’ve focused on my fitness, and that should be my advantage in the ring,” he stated.
The official weigh-in is scheduled for today at Pacific Energy Service Station (opposite Meenoos Labasa) at 2pm.