Why professional boxing is going down, trainer explains

Professional boxing in the country is heading nowhere until all those involved are willing to change their mindset.

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

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, he said the problem is that the people involved are all there to make a quick buck.

“Money is not bad but the love of money is what that is killing the sport,” Wilson said.

“That is why boxers don’t care whether they train or not. They don’t care whether they win or lose because they all want to make quick money. 

“Even promoters they’ll put on cheap boxers in their programme and they don’t care whether fans get their monies worth or not.”

He said that is reason why the standard of boxing in the country is far from what it was like in the 1970s right to early 2000.

“At that time boxers ensured they were fit before entering the ring. 

“They worked hard on their ringcraft and skills for quality performance. 

“Also, they’ll try to keep winning their fights and to lose was not in their dictionary. Also promoters, they’ll put on the best boxers in their promotion to give fans good fights to watch. 

“Also at that time more of our boxers like Leweni Waqa, Sakaraia Ve, Alipate Korovou, Joe Keresi, Vereniki Raiwalui, Mosese Sorovi, Sakiasi Dakua, Pauliasi Ratu, Frank Atu, Joe Ravudi and so on were ranked highly not only in Fiji but in the region and the world as well. 

Wilson said local boxers must always remember that they can make big money in the sport if they work hard to obtain international rankings and fight for world titles.

“Nothing is impossible provided the boxers are ready to put in the hard work. 

“There is no short cut to success. This will only happen if boxers are humble, willing to learn and they don’t rate themselves highly. That is the best way for them to learn.” 

Wilson said the Fiji Amateur Boxing Association is doing well because the priorities of the trainers, boxers and administrators are on the right track.