New Cruiserweight Champ Honours Dad

Newly crowned Fijian cruiserweight champion Alivereti Kauyaca honoured his dad and former Fijian heavyweight champion Silovate Rasaku Jnr in style.

During his title fight last Saturday, the Bukuya, Ba native wore the same red trunks his dad had put on when he won the heavyweight title in 1998.

The 25-year-old told SUNsports it was important for him to continue on his father’s legacy.

Kauyaca who is dubbed Fiji’s Mike Tyson because of of his knockout punches stopped Filimoni Naliva Jnr in the fifth round to claim the cruiserweight title.

“I’m proud to beat Filimoni on his home ground,” he said.

“We’re both from Ba and this win is important since this is my first title.

“It has been a while for someone from Bukuya to return to the highlands via that famous S-bend with a Fijian title.

“I look forward to many more fights and perhaps get an overseas fight as well.”

NAIDU: MARAMA IS LEARNING

Tough Ronald Naidu said he had no other intention but to knockout Malakai Marama and win the Fijian welterweight title.

Naidu kept to his word as Marama could not take any more punishment and decided to retire at the start of the seventh round.

“My plan was to knockout him out,” Naidu said.

“I landed a lot of punches on his head and he needs to put up his guard and fight.

“Boxing is an art and you cannot go in there getting hit and trying to land that big punch.

Naidu said Marama is a promising boxer but yet is still green when it comes to title fights.

“You cannot just hope to win when you get punched on your face, left, right and centre. He is learning,” the World Boxing Foundation Asia Pacific champ said.

A disappointed Marama apologised to his fans but indicated that he was going to take a bit of rest before making a comeback.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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