Puna Arrives, Ready To Rumble
Dual international Puna Rasaubale knows the importance of winning tomorrow night’s fight against Esira Natotomu at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
The former Fijian Bati rugby league and Fiji amateur boxing representative arrived at Nadi International Airport on Wednesday night all focused on his six-round fight under the South Pacific Boxing Promotions banner.
“Good to be here, very excited for the boys and put on a great show,” the Sydney-based heavyweight boxer said.
“I had spoken to Freddy Chand and it was appealing, especially to fight in the undercard of a Renold Quinlan fight. Ren is Fiji’s first official world champion. To come home and fight in Fiji and be a part of it is a great honour. I’ll definitely remember this for the rest of my career.”
Rasaubale said he has not heard much about Natotomu, who hails from Navosa but resides in Lautoka.
Natotomu started as a light heavyweight boxer before moving up to cruiserweight and is now in the heavyweight.
He had been waiting for three years for a fight but at the same he had been playing sevens rugby for Devo Babaas in the local tournaments.
Rasauable said he is expecting a tough fight.
“There are going to be fireworks especially, me being from Australia and having played rugby league with the Fijian boys from here. We hope he (Natotomu) has trained well and we can put on a good show for the promotion and the fans.”
Rasauble is from Viria in Naitasiri and has maternal links to Nasaibitu, in Wainibuka, Tailevu.
His maternal uncles are renowned boxers like Simi Liston, Tomasi Qilia, Joe Malimali and Seveni ‘Kid’ Drugu to name a few.
SPBP director Mohammed Shameem said this was the first time Rasaubale is fighting in Fiji as a professional boxer.
“If he does well then we’re looking forward to the future,” Shameem said.
His father Seruveveli said it was great to see his son come home for a mission after three years of being away.
Rasaubale has bought a five-acre farm at the Irrigation Road, in Lakena, Nausori.
He has re-zoned 2.5 acres of the land to build a boxing gym.
The official weigh in is today at 3pm at Nair’s Dais in Nadi.
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