The chairman of the Boxing Commission of Fiji, Adi Narayan, has expressed his disappointment following the losses of three prominent Fijian boxers over the weekend. He emphasized the need for local fighters to enhance their training and readiness if they aspire to compete internationally.
Narayan remarked on the disappointing outcomes, stating, “I am disappointed, obviously, because the results were not favourable. All boxers need to step up to another level. If you want to go and fight overseas, you’ve got to be prepared, fit, and be strong.”
Fiji’s lightweight champion, Mikaele Ravalacava, suffered a unanimous points decision defeat against the 19-year-old Ethiopian contender Zewdu Haymanot Desalegn at the International Boxing Association event. Despite the setback, Narayan took pride in Ravalacava’s achievements, acknowledging him as a pioneer for Fijian boxers competing at this level. “Mika Ravalaca, we are proud of his participation,” said Narayan. “He is one of the first Fijian amateur and professional boxers to have done that. He fought a good fight, but it didn’t go his way, so unfortunate.”
In another match, Winston Hill faced IBF Pan Pacific Super Welterweight champion Ben Mahoney, who handed Hill his first professional loss, retaining his title in the process. Mahoney knocked Hill down twice in the opening round and again in the fifth, eventually winning the match with a body punch in the sixth round. Narayan raised concerns regarding the officiating of the bout, highlighting that some punches were foul and should have been addressed by the referee. “I was not very happy with the appreciation of that bout. It’s unfortunate it didn’t turn out in our favour. But he did fight a good fight,” he commented.
Narayan’s deepest disappointment was with heavyweight James Singh, who was knocked out by John Figota despite Figota being unprepared for the match. “With James Singh, well, he himself confessed that fitness was his problem. Why do you sign on the dotted lines of the contract and take up that fight? Well, these are some of the things that really disappoint me,” Narayan revealed.
In light of these outcomes, Narayan is urging trainers and managers to enhance the preparation of their fighters ahead of international bouts. He also advised them to select realistic opponents to ensure a competitive match and a better chance of success for their boxers. This call to action highlights the importance of readiness and strategic match selection in the pursuit of success in boxing.