A significant and compelling story from the world of boxing unfolds as veteran trainer John Ramos faces a dispute with the Professional Boxing and Wrestling Association of Fiji (PBWAF) just before the pivotal 1977 fight between Sakaraia Ve and Ali Afakasi. This narrative is detailed in Ramos’ upcoming book, “Maker of Champions.”
Ali Afakasi, hailing from Samoa but residing in New Zealand, was set to challenge Ve, marking him as Ve’s second international competitor. Notably, Afakasi was a highly regarded welterweight and had previously won the South Seas welterweight title in 1974, along with several other titles, making him a formidable opponent for Ve.
Despite being suspended by the PBWAF, Ramos chose to support Ve for the critical match, much to the surprise of the PBWAF’s secretary, Mumtaz Ali. The association did not seek Ve’s input, but he took the initiative to express his concerns regarding Ramos’ absence from his corner, highlighting the importance of their partnership.
Ve elaborated that they believed the fight could be jeopardized if Ramos was not a part of it, leading them to make a strategic decision together for this essential bout. Although Ramos’ presence in training was initially in question, he ultimately sought reinstatement with the PBWAF. Through a heartfelt apology delivered via his solicitor, he retracted previous negative remarks, leading to a meeting where the board members lifted his suspension.
This decision brought immense relief and joy to Ramos, who dedicated himself to preparing Ve for the fight. On fight night, a large crowd of over 300 supporters gathered at the Laucala Bay Hangar to cheer for Ve, showcasing the unity and support from his community.
In a remarkable culmination of events, Ve claimed victory in the sixth round via technical knockout, cutting Afakasi and inflicting significant damage, which marked Afakasi’s second TKO loss. This win may pave the way for Ve to secure a Commonwealth title shot as PBWAF’s Ali expressed a proactive interest in getting approval from the British Boxing Board of Control.
This story highlights the importance of resilience, teamwork, and strategic decision-making in sports. It serves as a reminder that challenges can be overcome with dedication and strong support from one’s team, leading to success against the odds.
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