Naliva Must Lift Fitness, Says Trainer

Fitness will be the deciding factor on Saven­aca Naliva’s fight against Australia’s Renold Quinlan at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, on August 13, says a veteran trainer.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday Jittu Boxing Stable trainer Marika Yalimaiwai said the coun­try’s light heavyweight champion needs to focus on his fitness.

“Naliva is a great boxer and he trained with me during his amateur boxing days,” Yalimaiwai said.

“We all know that Ren (Quinlan) is a former world champion, so for him fitness is on top of the prior­ity list. That is why Naliva needs to work hard on his fitness.”

Yalimaiwai who has worked with former cham­pions like Joy Ali, Junior Farzan, Sakiusa Meke­meke, Pita Domoni, Ulaiasi Qalomai, Krishnil Mu­daliar and so on highlighted that this fight should be a learning experience for Naliva.

“Fighting quality boxers like Ren is a good ex­posure for Naliva and is good for Fiji boxing. For his fight preparations Naliva’s camp should have a game plan by now on how they are going to ap­proach the fight.

“Naliva has a good record and I urge him to be very mindful of his reputation.”

South Pacific Boxing Promotions promoter Fred­dy Chand said Naliva has been training in his vil­lage in Sorokoba, Ba, under the guidance of his brother Filimoni Naliva Junior.

“I was told that from this week Naliva will be moving camp to Denarau but that is yet to be con­firmed,” Chand said.

The promoter also indicated that part of Quin­lan’s team arrived into the country in the weekend while the rest are expected to be in on August 11.

“Heavyweight boxer Puna Rasaubale has joined Quinlan’s camp in Sydney to prepare for the Nadi fight.”

Rasaubale, as an amateur boxer represented Fiji at the 2008 Commonwealth Games and also played for the Fijian Bati rugby league team.

He fights Lautoka slugger Esira Natotomu who is one of the undercards and a win could see him fight Fiji heavyweight champion James ‘The Beast’ Singh.

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