Vakacegu takes up challenge

Veteran boxer Sefanaia Vakacegu has taken on Fijian heavyweight champion James Singh’s challenge that was posted recently on social media.

Singh had issued a challenge to fight any heavyweight boxer in the country.

“I’m willing,” Vakacegu said in Suva on Thursday.

“James needs to fight a couple of experienced local boxers to help him develop,” he said.

“He is a promising boxer and that is why he is the champion.

“I respect James and what he has achieved and for me fighting him is to help him prepare for the future. It has nothing to do about money.”

Vakacegu who has a record of seven wins and 16 losses said he has learned over the years by fighting world rated boxers like Daniel Baff, Charles Baou and Alapati A’asa.

“I see boxing as a sport. I lost fights but I keep on participating. I’ve fought in Australia, New Caledonia, Samoa and Tahiti.

“I started from super middleweight, moved up to light heavy, cruiser and then to the heavies.

“Throughout my career I never dodged anyone but I go in and give my best.”

When asked on why promoters have brushed him aside as being old (since he is the mid-40s), Vakacegu says, he is ready to undertake medical check-up.

“My last fight was in 2017 and then COVID struck but I’ve been training every now and then.

“I’ve been an underdog all the time. People write me off but I have fought back to beat top boxers like Atama Raqili, Sunia Cama Junior and Junior Birbal.”

Vakacegu said he is putting his hands up because Singh has got nothing to gain from fighting new heavyweight boxers.

“If we fight, I hope James could learn a thing or two to become a much better boxer.

“He is the future so we have got to help him. I’ve got nothing to lose but I hope my challenge is accepted.”

“Throughout my career I never dodged anyone but I go in and give my best,” Vakacegu said