'The Beast' and Puna want to settle matter Once for All

All hell was about to break loose when Fiji heavyweight champion James ‘The Beast’ Singh faced-off against Sydney-based Puna Rasaubale after the press conference at the Nair’s Dais in Nadi yesterday.

South Pacific Boxing Promotions (SPBP) chief director Mohammed Shameem had to step in and separate the two boxers. The boxers have been having heated exchange of words for almost a year on social media.

They fight in tomorrow night’s SPBP main bout at Prince Charles Park, Nadi.

During the face-off, Singh told Rasaubale that he would baptise him on fight night. This sparked a heated exchange of words before Shameem made his move to separate the boxers before things could turn ugly.

Before that Rasaubale had apologised to Singh over the words he had spoken against him.

Singh said he was grateful to God for the opportunity to put more cash in his wallet.

“This fight was not going to happen but then it eventuated, it was a fair deal,” he said.

“When we fight, we fight. I know he (Rasaubale) is prepared as he came from Australia not to waste any time here.

“Puna believes in himself that he will beat me.

“I thank him for admitting the bad stuff he did against me. I love you as a man, respect, but nothing will stop me from knocking you out on Friday. I am telling you now.”

Rasaubale, a former Fiji Bati rugby league representative said it’s great to return home and fight Singh. He hails from Viria in Naitasiri with maternal links to Nasaubitu, Wainibuka.

“I’m looking forward to it, respect needs to be given as he is a champion. In the past, we had spoken words in public. I apologise for all the tough words that were uttered before we put everything to rest in the ring.”

Rasaubale also represented the Fiji amateur boxing team to the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The official weigh-in will be today at Nair’s Dais, Nadi, at 3pm.

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