For the first time in Fiji’s history, an all-women’s boxing team from Victoria, Australia, is competing in the Fiji Amateur Boxing for Junior, Youth, and Women tournaments at Vashist Muni Memorial Primary School Hall in Navua.
The team consists of eight boxers, from junior to elite levels, who are matched up against local female fighters in the area. Fiji’s National Boxing coach, Cam Todd, expressed his enthusiasm for this historic event, stating, “I think it’s the first time maybe in Fiji history we’ve got a women’s only team coming from Victoria, Australia. They brought eight boxers, some juniors, some youths, and a couple of elites, all boxing our local girls here.”
This tournament also aims to raise funds for the local boxing club hosting the event. Todd noted, “We wanted to help raise some money for their club. A lot of the girls boxing today from Fiji are from this region, so they’ll get a lot of good home support.”
The event features a total of 25 bouts, including eight international matches. “There’s a total of 25 fights, but there’ll be eight internationals, and they’ll box again with different opponents from Fiji tomorrow,” Todd added.
Todd’s primary focus is on promoting women’s boxing in Fiji. “The main aim for me is developing women’s boxing. I need to get more women of all ages boxing, amateur boxing,” he said. He collaborates with contacts in Australia and Victoria Boxing who expressed interest in supporting developmental efforts.
He is impressed by the talent that Fiji is producing. “Every tournament I go to, I make sure I’m at every one. I’m making notes and looking at all the young boxers from nine years old upwards. Fiji has massive talent in amateur boxing. They love it,” he remarked. Young boxers in Fiji are making a significant impact in the sport. “We’ve had boys, and we’ve got some girls fighting who are like 9 to 10 years old. They would smash the boys and girls back in New Zealand,” he said enthusiastically.
The competition is set to continue today at 1 PM, and Todd encouraged spectators to “come along and support your local boxers. It’ll be a great day of boxing.”
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