Boxing trainer Peteresio Ranuku claims that some of the best amateur boxers are losing their chance to go professional. This contention has arisen amidst calls by Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo and veteran trainer Osea Nanovu to reimagine Fiji’s boxing glory from the 1960s and 1980s. These calls challenge the Fiji Amateur Boxing Association (FABA) to give boxing more space to flourish.
Ranuku lampoons FABA for charging fees from promoters to release a boxer, noting that not all prominent boxers represent Fiji. He states that holding these boxers back for financial gain is inappropriate, and criticizes FABA’s resistance to advancing boxers to the next level. It’s widely hoped that the new FABA committee will bring deserving justice to the sport.
With many boxers retiring without experiencing professional boxing, it’s stressed that FABA and BCF need to harmonize their operations. Minister for Sports Jese Saukuru emphasizes that these organizations should complement each other to promote boxing development and safety in Fiji.
Changes seem afoot with the appointment of Panapasa Daunakamakama as the new FABA president. Open to dialogue, Daunakamakama wants to explore ways of working together with promoters and believes in solving issues through communication. The new president replaces Manasa Baravilala, who has moved to the US.