Boxer Saimoni Ratu arrived in Labasa yesterday with a clear objective: to secure the vacant Fiji lightweight title and advance his boxing career. In an interview with SUNsports, the fierce competitor from Serea, Naitasiri, expressed that he would retire from boxing if he were to lose to Umbayd Haider in their title bout, scheduled for tomorrow at Labasa’s Subrail Park.
“I’m in a do-or-die situation,” Ratu stated. “I’ve been involved in boxing my entire life. I started as an amateur at 14 and represented Fiji by 16. I could have started earlier, but I was underage at the time.”
Ratu conveyed his passion for the sport, emphasizing, “If I lose to Haider, then that will be my retirement, but if I win, I will keep fighting. I’m determined to win, and I believe I can.”
Coming from a boxing lineage, Ratu’s older brothers—Joeli Naleca, Waisele Ratu, and Opeti Tagi—have all held titles in their weight classes. He expressed gratitude towards his father, Saula Naicori, who is also his trainer. Despite facing health challenges, his father has been coaching him for the last month and accompanied him to Labasa.
Ratu acknowledged the support he received from South Pacific Boxing Promotions’ director Mohammed Shaheem and promoter Fred Chand, thanking them for another opportunity and their assistance during his training.
Haider claimed the Fiji super featherweight title by defeating Krishnil Mudaliar in the eighth round in July. Previously, Ratu made headlines by knocking out Mudaliar in the first round.
“We will be competing at 61 kilos against Haider, and I’m not concerned about making weight for the weigh-in. My fitness has been a focus, and I intend to use that as my advantage in the ring,” Ratu noted.
The official weigh-in is set for today at 2 PM at Pacific Energy Service Station, located opposite Meenoos Labasa.