Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, who is also an ex-boxer, proclaimed that Fiji could reclaim its past glory in boxing and produce world champions. He stated that Fiji was once a boxing powerhouse in the Pacific, producing celebrated fighters such as Ledua Vere, Alipate Korovou, Sakaraia Ve, Jo Keresi, Esala Vula, and others.
Lamenting Fiji’s decline in boxing standards, particularly between the 1960s and late 1980s, Temo pointed to poor performance of Fijian fighters sent overseas. However, after watching a bout between Semi Dauloloma and James Singh, he was convinced of Fijian fighters’ spirit and potential.
Temo also highlighted Samoa’s success in propelling two of its boxers to the world stage. Joseph Parker recently clinched Zhilei Zhang’s WBO interim belt in March after a majority decision in Saudi Arabia. In addition, Jai Opetaia won the vacant IBF cruiserweight title in a thrilling 12-round bout against Mairis Briedis last month.
Asserting that Fijian boxers also hold immense potential, Temo expressed his optimism for the country’s boxing future.