Boxing fans in Vanua Levu will have the opportunity to watch one of their favourite sons don his boxing glove for the last time at Subrail Park, Labasa on Saturday.

Former Fijiansuper middleweight champion Atama Raqili will take on Ioane Delaitabua in a four-round exhibition fight in front of his fans.

Westwood Boxing promoter Praneel Dass said this fight means a lot to Raqili and also to his fans in the North.

“When Atama started his boxing career he had fought under my dad’s promotion and now he is fighting his last fight under my promotion,” Dass said.

The Macuata native sprung into prominence in the late 1980s under trainer Dr Jone Raibevu and along with Noa Bukai, Jare Lalakai, Sharamat Shah and Pita Teleni they were regarded as the most feared boxers in the country at that time.

Raqili later moved on to join promoter Bala Subramani’s Suga City Hotel gym in Lautoka where he trained with heavyweight champion Niko Degei, Luke Tui and Jeremaia Tadu.

For the rest of his career Raqili moved to Suva and trained at the Uptown Gym under wily trainer Gyan Singh. 

During his career, Raqili fought world-rated boxers like Sakaraia Ve, Rick Thornerry, Sam Leuii, Guy Waters, Paul Smallman, Sean Sullivan and Charles Baou.

Locally, he took on the might of Sakeasi Dakua, Paula Tuilau, Lorima Niumataiwalu, Atama Matauloki, Nat Ledua, Buli Raiwalui, Kuliniasi Vasu and Orisi Tukana.

Weigh-in

All Vanua Levu boxing fans will have the opportunity to meet all the boxers in today’s official weigh-in at Hotel Takia.

Dass said the weigh-in would start at 10am.