The proposed 61kg title fight between Mikaele Ravalaca and Ronald Naidu set for February 22 has been officially canceled. Samir Khan, the promoter from Bluewater Boxing, confirmed that Ravalaca’s camp declined the opportunity. This decision came shortly after Ravalaca’s victory in Australia, where he expressed a desire for title opportunities in Fiji.
Khan shared on social media that he had reached out to both fighters regarding the vacant 61kg title amidst ongoing negotiations. However, Ravalaca’s team had already committed to a fight against Layton McFerran in Australia on February 28 prior to receiving the offer to face Naidu.
While Ravalaca expressed confidence in being able to compete in both matches within a week, his management team opted for the fight in Australia, seeing it as a better opportunity to enhance his ranking, given that McFerran is significantly higher-ranked than Naidu.
The news of this title fight’s cancellation has generated mixed reactions among boxing fans online, with some supporting the notion of Ravalaca competing for a title in Fiji, while others believe his career is better served pursuing fights abroad.
This situation, while disappointing for fans looking forward to the matchup, reflects the complexities of boxing negotiations and the varying priorities of fighters and their teams. It highlights Ravalaca’s strategic approach to building his career through opportunities that could enhance his ranking and status in the sport.
In summary, while the cancellation of this title fight is a setback for local boxing in Fiji, it also poses new opportunities for Ravalaca to improve his standings on an international scale. This illustrates the ongoing evolution of a fighter’s career path and the importance of strategic decisions in the competitive world of boxing.
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