Fight Overdue: Naliva
The fans should come out in numbers as this is the first title fight in 2019. This is a must see programme and the boxers need their support - Usman Ali
Sorokoba, Ba native Savenaca Naliva is set for his biggest fight when he faces Joseph Kwadjo today.
The duo will go toe-to-toe in the first boxing programme for the year under the South Pacific Boxing Promotions banner at Prince Charles Park in Nadi. During the first weigh-in yesterday Naliva, 30, tipped the scale at 84.3 kilogrammes while Kwadjo weighed 80.4kg. Naliva has to shed more weight before the light heavyweight title fight today. He adamant of making the right weight as this fight has been long overdue.
“It is an important fight as it is a title fight; it won’t be an easy one,” he said. “Preparation has been going well for the past months.
“I will reveal all in the ring. Looking at Kwadjo he seems to be very keen to fight.” Kwadjo said: “It is going to be a good fight as we’ve been training hard for this. “My team and I have something special planned.
“The fight is 12 rounds and I have to push it and make sure I score points otherwise I will finish it early.”
Kwadjo added their fight is not a mismatch. “This is not a mismatch. Naliva has international exposure and has fought good boxers locally,” he said.
WOMEN’S BOUT
Furthermore, another interesting fight is between Katrina Singh and Virisila Kolitapa.
Boxing Commission of Fiji director Usman Ali said the fight is on. However, he confirmed that Ronald Naidu who was scheduled to meet Rakuro Daunivavana in a welterweight title fight, has presented a medical certificate. Promotions director Mohammed Shameem is looking forward to the main bout. “The fans should come out in numbers as this is the first title fight in 2019. This is a must see programme and the boxers need their support,” he said.
PROGRAMME
Light heavyweight title fight: Joseph Kwadjo – Savenaca Naliva, Welterweight title fight: Ronald Naidu – Rakuro Daunivavana,
8x 3 min bout: Abhay Chand – Nereo Cakautini, Tomu Gaunavou – Tevita Sete, 6x 3 min bout: Robin Hazelman – Robert Kustel, Rahul Aaron Kumar – Sheik Rizwan,
Petero Qica – Isikeli Navuni, Soropepeli Vuniyayawa – Filimoni Naliva, Joseva Ravudi – Isikeli Senidoko, Rupeni Rasaku – Apisai Naciqa, Semisoni Hanimo – Matereti Canavanua. Ladies bout: Katrina Singh – Virisila Kolitapa.