Porirua teens move up fast in new-found sport
Placid and quiet outside the boxing ring, quick and explosive inside – that’s ‘Rocky’ and ‘Butterfly’.
The two Porirua teenagers, who box for the Rebel club, based in Kenepuru, won their respective divisions at the Wellington championships on August 18.
‘Rocky’ Ioane Ane, 19, took out the welterweight division while ‘Butterfly’ Sagato Fagasoaia, 14, won the junior middleweight section.
It was just reward for the hard work the pair have put in these past months, their coach Owen Fagasoaia says. They have the upcoming Manawatu champs to further their craft, with both only taking up the gloves last year.
‘‘They started training in my backyard – I just put up a [boxing] bag and it went from there,’’ says coach Fagasoaia.
‘‘Some guys have given up along the way but these two have the commitment and the selfdetermination to go a long way in this sport. They listen and have good heads on their shoulders.’’
Ane says he loves the selfdiscipline and fitness aspects of being a pugilist, while Fagasoaia says the feeling of representing Rebel and winning for his club make the training pay off.
They both attend Rebel three nights a week and say the club atmosphere demands effort and self-discipline. Both paid tribute to their coach.
The young fighters will likely both go to nationals in Auckland next month, although Ane may not be eligible because he has less than 10 fights under his belt.