Rising Women Boxers Ready To Rumble
Boxers Laite Nanovu and Tanzeela Raza wants to lift women’s boxing in Fiji to another level.
Thursday 15 September 2022 | 15:00
Amateur female boxers Laite Nanovu (l) and Tanzeela Raza square up during the promotion press confrence of the Lewis Hill Boxing promotion at Toorak, Suva on September 14, 2022. Photo- Leon Lord
Boxers Laite Nanovu and Tanzeela Raza wants to lift women’s boxing in Fiji to another level.
They will fight in the amateur boxing category of the Lewis Boxing Promotions on September 24 at the FMF Gymnasium, Suva.
Raza, is the niece of former Fiji welterweight champion Junior Farzan and her late uncle Joy ‘The Jet’ Ali was the former Pan Asian Boxing Association (PABA) super welterweight champion.
He was rated No.15 by the World Boxing Association (WBA).
Nanovu is originally from Yasawa-i-rara and a student at Gospel High School.
Speaking to SUNsports yesterday Raza said she wants to be a professional boxer.
“I took up boxing because I want to keep my family legacy alive,” she said.
“I have fought three times and won two of my fights so I look forward to winning this one.
“I started at a very early age. I’m always keen to take up boxing because growing up I watched my uncles dominate the local boxing scene.
“Now my aim is to turn professional soon. This is my starting point.”
Apart from boxing, Raza is also thinking of becoming a promoter.
Her grandfather Farzan Ali (Snr) was a top middleweight contender in the 1970s. He later became a promoter with the Professional Boxing and Wrestling Association of Fiji (PBWA).
“I know professional boxing is a minor sport but through this kind of professional promotion it can really boost its image.”
Nanovu said not all girls would be good at boxing.
“I took up boxing because it helps me in terms of discipline and self defence,” she said.
“We live in a dangerous time where girls are vulnerable so boxing has taught me a lot about protecting myself.
“I want to make history and pushing to make women’s boxing big in the country. It’s time we stamp our mark to bring more girls to take up the sport.
“Not all girls will play rugby, netball or rugby league so I urge young girls out there to try out boxing.
“I’m looking forward to a good fight against Raza because I have been preparing well.
Feedback: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj
