In 1977, a significant conflict emerged between the Professional Boxing and Wrestling Association of Fiji (PBWAF) and veteran trainer John Ramos, which nearly prevented him from cornering Sakaraia Ve during his bout against Ali Afakasi. This tension is highlighted in Ramos’ upcoming book, “Maker of Champions,” set to be released this Saturday.
Afakasi, a Samoan fighter residing in New Zealand, was Ve’s second international opponent and held a respectable ranking in the Commonwealth’s welterweight division. He was considered a stepping stone for Ve toward a planned Commonwealth title fight a year in advance. Afakasi had previously captured the South Seas welterweight title in 1974 and was a formidable contender, holding several additional titles in his weight class.
Despite being suspended by PBWAF, Ramos decided to support Ve. However, this led Ve to inform PBWAF in writing that he would fight without his chief trainer, a move that surprised PBWAF secretary Mumtaz Ali. Ali appreciated Ve’s decision, suggesting it was wise given the potential risks to his boxing career associated with Ramos’ suspension.
Ve clarified that even without Ramos in his corner, their partnership was far from over. He explained that he and Ramos had proactively decided to prevent the association from rejecting their fight, emphasizing the fight’s importance to him.
As the bout approached, Ramos was determined to be involved and ultimately chose to apologize to PBWAF to lift his suspension. His eligibility reinstatement brought relief to his camp, enabling him to corner Ve as he faced Afakasi, whose extensive experience included a record of 27 wins against 5 losses.
The match drew a passionate crowd, with over 300 of Ve’s family and supporters coming to cheer him on. In a thrilling encounter, Ve claimed victory via a sixth-round technical knockout after effectively targeting Afakasi’s head, leading to visible injuries.
Ramos noted that this win heightened PBWAF’s engagement with the British Boxing Board of Control, paving the way for Ve’s potential shot at a Commonwealth title.
This account of resolve and teamwork amidst adversity reflects the spirit of the sport and serves as an inspiring reminder of how determination can lead to success. The bond between a trainer and a fighter is pivotal, and this story showcases how overcoming hurdles can strengthen those ties, ultimately leading to remarkable achievements in the ring.
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