Gaunavou’s First Overseas Title Fight

Fiji super middleweight champion Tomu Gaunavou flew out of the country yes­terday to fight in Brisbane, Aus­tralia, this Friday.

He was accompanied by his trainer, Ioane Delatabua.

The crafty Naitasiri boxer takes on Australia’s unbeaten, Abdou­laye Mayweather, (born Abdou­laye Sakeo) for the vacant Austral­ian National Boxing Federation’s Australasian middleweight title at Eatons Hill Hotel in Queens­land, on Friday.

The fight is prompted under the banner of Italian promoter An­gelo Di Carlo (Ace Boxing Group).

Gaunavou, 33, said, he was look­ing forward to his first overseas fight.

“I’m eager to fly the Fijian flag high,” he said.

“I always wanted to fight over­seas when I turned pro (profes­sional) in 2015 but I guess it was a blessing in disguise that it was delayed for seven years.

“The wait allowed me to gain more experience and also become a much better boxer.”

Gaunavou who last fought in 2019 has signed for a lucrative AU$5000 (FJ$7700) contract and knows that his opponent will be a tough one.

“I have prepared myself well for this fight and I want to dedicate to the people of Fiji.”

Ever since turning pro, Gauna­vou has won five fights and lost two.

On the other hand, Mayweath­er, 28, turned pro in 2020 and remained unbeaten in his five fights.

Delatabua said; “This is one of the grand fights as Tomu is given to title fight in his first overseas appearance.

“Tomu has been training well. Our preparations started in Janu­ary as he was supposed to fight (Savenaca) Naliva but that was postponed due to COVID.”

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