Veteran boxing trainer John Ramos emphasizes the importance of amateur boxing as a crucial pathway for professional boxers in his newly released book, “Maker of Champions.” The book is set to officially launch on Saturday.
Ramos reflects on the significant influence of Hector Hatch, a former Olympic and Fiji amateur boxing champion, whom he regards as a mentor. Ramos began his boxing journey in 1962 at the Suva Youth Centre, training under Hatch, and participated in weekly amateur competitions at the PWD Gym in Suva.
The Fiji Amateur Boxing Association (FABA) was founded in 1953 and became affiliated with the international governing body for amateur boxing. In 1956, Fiji sent its first amateur boxers, including Hatch, to compete in the Olympic Games in New Zealand.
Throughout his career, Hatch held various leadership roles within FABA until his retirement in 1992, during which time he fostered a remarkable generation of amateur boxing talent. Notable achievements under Hatch’s administration included bronze medals won by athletes like Moses Evans and Holgar Johansen at the 1962 Commonwealth Games. These successes continued with Tongan Sani Fine’s gold medal performance for Fiji at the 1982 Commonwealth Games.
Ramos suggests that amateur boxing has consistently produced exceptional professional boxers, stating, “It was under Hatch’s dedicated administration and leadership that I was able to draw upon and build my pool of professional boxers.” He remembers Hatch as a pivotal figure in establishing amateur boxing within Fiji’s sporting culture.
Looking forward, Ramos calls for the emergence of another leader like Hatch to rejuvenate amateur boxing and restore public confidence in the sport. He references several successful amateur boxers who transitioned to professional careers, including Ravuama Roko, Basdeo, and Timoci Belo.
In summary, Ramos’s insights highlight the enduring legacy of amateur boxing in Fiji and underscore the need for revitalizing this foundational component of the sport to continue producing champions.
This discourse on the significance of amateur boxing offers hope for the future of the sport in Fiji, as it hints at the potential for new talent to emerge through dedicated training and support systems inspired by great figures like Hatch.
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