Trainer backs Tuilau to head BCF

The authorities should head hunt the right person to become the new Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) chairman.

This was the view of Sydney-based trainer Lepani Wilson.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, he said by advertising the job, people who have no boxing background would apply for the job.

“That is where the danger is,” Wilson said.

“We’ll get in people who have no knowledge about the sport and how it operates.

“The person who takes the job should know the importance of working together with the promoters, boxers and all the stakeholders. The importance of issuing quarterly rankings to help in the match-making.”

Wilson said running professional boxing is totally different with amateur boxing.

“I’m talking from experience because before I came to Australia, I was the Professional Boxing & Wrestling Association (PBWA) president.”

Wilson said he believes the best person to be the next BCF chairman is former super middleweight champion and now school-teacher Paula Tuilau.

“Master Paula is smart and knows what needs to be done. He understands the work of the promoters and the difficulties boxers go through.”

Wilson said another aspect is that Tuilau took up boxing so he could earn money to pay for his tertiary fees at the Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT).

“He kept doing that until he graduated from FIT. With boxing he was able to do that. I feel he is the right man to take over from Adi Narayan, who I understand will be finishing off soon.”