Hill’s Body Punches Did The Trick: Mafi

Former Fijian amateur boxing’s middleweight star Setoki Mafi says, Winston Hill’s body punches did the damage against Rakuro Dauvavana at the FMF Gymnasium, Suva, on Saturday night.

Hill won his first professional fight on a second round knockout.

“Winston knows exactly where to connect his body punches,” Mafi said after the fight.

“The punch landed a bit lower to Rakuro’s ribs and that took him down.

That’s the killer blow, any boxer that cops a punch at that particular spot always goes down.

“I felt for Rakuro before he wanted to continue but that punch took its toll on him.”

Mafi, a retired Sergeant Major with the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), said that was the punch Collin Jones executed to knockout Sakaraia Ve in the second round at London’s Wembley Arena in 1982.

Dauvavana beat the count from his first knockdown but looked weak as Hill continued with the onslaught before sending him to the canvas, forcing referee Leca Fotu to stop the fight.

In the main bout, Joseph Kwadjo knocked out Apisai Naciqa in the second round.

“Naciqa who was using his reach advantage staggered Kwadjo earlier in the second round but a couple of body punches and a right to the head saw Naciqa down for the third time.

Also, impressive was crafty welterweight champion Jese Ravudi who scored a second round technical knockout win over Mikaele Gonerara.

Other results: Nikesh Prasad beat Shefrazud Dean (points), Masing Warawara beat Junior Farzan (points), Mohammed Ali beat Saimoni Nanovu (3rd round knockout), Gabrieli Ravalawa beat Banjamin Joseph (4th round knockout)

Story By:  LEONE CABENATABUA

Feedback:  leonec@fijisun.com.fj