Iokimi Navuasese has dedicated his recent boxing victory to his late coach, Ubaiyd Haider (formerly Nathan Singh), who sadly passed away earlier this month. The 15-year-old achieved a unanimous decision victory against Garica Bonnaci from Victoria during an event held at the Captain Stan Brown Boxing Gym in Walu Bay, Suva.
Navuasese, who began his boxing journey at the age of 12 under the guidance of Haider’s father, Gyan Singh, expressed deep gratitude for Haider’s influence on his career and dedication to the sport. He remarked, “This fight was for my late coach, Ubaiyd Haider, and it is dedicated to him.” He added, “He contributed so much to boxing and trained young boxers like me to continue where he left off.”
Despite feeling underprepared in terms of fitness, Navuasese relied on his boxing intelligence to outpoint his opponent in the initial rounds. By the third round, fatigue set in, but the memory of his coach motivated him to persevere until the end of the fight.
Looking ahead, Navuasese has set his sights on representing Fiji at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Earlier this year, he showcased his talent by winning a gold medal in the 57kg category during the 2024 Youth & Junior Oceania Boxing Championships in Tahiti.
The event featured 28 bouts and is part of a two-day international competition, including junior and youth boxers from Victoria, Australia. It will conclude today at the Nausori District School grounds. National coach Cam Todd highlighted upcoming events, including an incoming team of boxers from New Zealand and the Golden Gloves Championship scheduled for December 13-14.
As the competition continues, it underscores the growing potential and commitment of young athletes like Navuasese, who not only honor their mentors but also inspire a new generation of boxers.
In summary, Iokimi Navuasese’s triumph in the ring is not just a personal victory but a heartfelt tribute to his late coach, and it sets the stage for a promising future in boxing.
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