Ravalaca, Tahikia need win to resurrect boxing career

Tonight’s super lightweight boxing clash between Mikaele Ravalaca and Kaliova Tahikia is deemed as their redemption fight.

Both boxers are in a must-win situation if they are to resurrect their boxing career at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.

“I’m ready and he (Tahikia) should be ready,” Ravalaca said of their main supporting fight under the Bluewater Boxing Promotions.

“Kali (ova) must be preparing well since he is confident to challenge me and he should come prepared.”

Tahikia who trains under the Butterfly Boxing Club urged his supporters to be at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.

“I’ve done my preparation,” he added.

The 22-year-old is the son of former Fiji welterweight and middleweight champion Tevita ‘Natewa Prince’ Vakalalabure. Tahikia has already beaten Fiji lightweight champion Ronald Naidu.

When contacted yesterday Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) chairman Adi Narayan shared similar sentiment.

“He (Ravalaca) has to have a fight before he defends the (super lightweight) title, so that is one of the reasons. The other reason is for his opponent (Kaliova Tahikia), to test him out as well, because he’s been training very hard. If he matches Mika, that will give us a good idea of another boxer coming up the ranks,” Narayan said.

In another interesting supporting bout sees the return of former Fiji welterweight and super welterweight champion Jese Ravudi against the upcoming Filise Nabua in a middleweight contest.

Jese Ravudi with his trainer from Vatuvua Boxing Club as they visited his dad Josefa ‘Hitman’ Ravudi in Nausori.

Photos: Supplied

Family matters

Training at the Vatuvua Boxing Club, Ravudi accompanied by his trainer visited his dad and former Fiji light heavyweight champion Josefa ‘Hitman’ Ravudi.

According to the club’s Facebook posting, the visit was for Jese to offer a traditional Matanigasau (seeking forgiveness) to his dad before fighting Nabua.

The main bout sees former Fiji heavyweight boxing champion James ‘The Beast’ Singh taking on Sainivalati Ratu in an eight-round fight.

The gate opens at 2pm and the programme starts at 3.30pm.