The Chairman of the Boxing Commission of Fiji, Adi Narayan, has voiced his disappointment after the losses of three notable Fijian boxers this past weekend. He stressed the essential need for local athletes to elevate their training and readiness if they hope to compete on the international stage.
Narayan expressed his dismay at the unfavorable results, saying, “I am disappointed, obviously, because the results were not favorable. 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, faced a unanimous points loss against Ethiopian contender Zewdu Haymanot Desalegn during an International Boxing Association event. Despite the defeat, Narayan expressed pride in Ravalacava’s groundbreaking achievements, recognizing him as a pioneer for Fijian boxers. “Mika Ravalaca, we are proud of his participation,” Narayan stated. “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 bout, Winston Hill confronted IBF Pan Pacific Super Welterweight champion Ben Mahoney. Hill experienced his first professional loss as Mahoney knocked him down twice in the first round and again in the fifth, ultimately finishing the match with a body punch in the sixth round. Narayan expressed disappointment with the officiating, noting that some punches deemed foul 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 favor. But he did fight a good fight,” Narayan remarked.
Narayan’s greatest disappointment stemmed from heavyweight James Singh’s knockout loss to John Figota, who was reportedly unprepared for the fight. “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,” he revealed.
In response to these recent defeats, Narayan is calling on trainers and managers to enhance the preparation of their fighters leading up to international competitions. Additionally, he emphasized the necessity of selecting realistic opponents to foster competitive matches and maximize the chances of success. This proactive approach underscores the importance of extensive readiness and strategic match choices in achieving success in boxing, presenting a hopeful perspective on the future growth of Fijian boxing talent.