Fiji Amateur Boxing Association On A Mission To Revive The Sport
“The boxing stables are always the lifeline for FABA and they have also inspired others to start new clubs,”
Tuesday 21 May 2019 | 16:07
The Fiji Amateur Boxing Association (FABA) has embarked on a journey to bring back the sports’ glory days.
One way the association hopes to do this is by exposing local boxers to regular competition.
This includes fortnightly community boxing events at the Fiji Police Mobile Unit headquarters in Narere, Nasinu, which are open to all clubs.
Nicholas Fuata, head coach of the Fiji amateur boxing team to July’s Pacific Games in Samoa, believes the sport was in a period of resurgence.
Fuata believes FABA-registered clubs have an important role to play in the resurgence and urged them to continue giving their support.
“The boxing stables are always the lifeline for FABA and they have also inspired others to start new clubs,” Fuata said.
“They have produced great fighters for the Pacific Games 2019 and we have clubs that we are indebted to, with the likes of, Police, Boxing Brave, One Dream, Uptown and Light House that have stayed true to the cause.”
The next major assignment for the association is the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa this July.
The team of eight fighters will be led by 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Winston Hill.
While the team has a talented line-up of boxers from the fly-weight to the heavyweight division, no super-heavyweight fighter made the cut.
“The absence of a super heavyweight boxer is based on limitations based on selection. We had to choose from good fighters but were limited to the best,” Fuata said.
“The squad is made up of extremely talented fighters with a mixture of young upcoming boxers and seasoned fighters.
“Our top prospects are obviously our current elite fighters - Hill and Jone Koroilagilagi but expect surprises along the way.”
-Edited by Osea Bola
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