Iokimi Navuasese, a 15-year-old boxer, has dedicated his recent victory to his late coach, Ubaiyd Haider (previously known as Nathan Singh), who passed away earlier this month. Navuasese secured a unanimous decision win against Victoria’s Garcia Bonnaci during his match at the Captain Stan Brown Boxing Gym in Walu Bay, Suva.
Hailing from Nasoqo in Naitasiri, Navuasese began boxing at the age of 12, initially trained by Haider’s father, Gyan Singh. He expressed deep gratitude for his late coach’s influence, stating, “This fight was for my late coach Ubaiyd Haider, and it is dedicated to him. He contributed so much to boxing and to training young boxers like me to carry on where he has left off.”
Facing a tough competition, Navuasese relied on his boxing intelligence due to concerns over his fitness level. He managed to score points in the first and second rounds and, despite feeling fatigued in the third, drew strength from the memory of his late coach to finish strong. He aspires to represent Fiji at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and recently earned a gold medal in the 57kg category at the 2024 Youth & Junior Oceania Boxing Championships held in Tahiti.
The event in Walu Bay featured a total of 28 bouts, part of a two-day international competition that included junior and youth boxers from Victoria, Australia. The matches were scheduled to conclude today at the Nausori District School ground. National coach Cam Todd mentioned that a team from New Zealand is expected to join in two weeks, leading up to the Golden Gloves Championship set for December 13-14.
This event not only showcases the talent of young boxers like Navuasese but also reflects the vibrant boxing community in the region, inspiring the next generation to pursue their dreams despite challenges.
The results from the matches included victories for Ana Vaela against Leba Arieta (Referee Stopped Contest, Round 2), Anare Malo losing to Rusiate Jnr, and notable wins for Jone Fatiaki and Nathan Long.
Overall, the competition has highlighted the dedication and resilience of young athletes, with Navuasese’s tribute to his coach serving as a poignant reminder of the sport’s deep connections.
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