Boxing Gyms: Lewis
Australian boxing training legend Johnny Lewis believes in the need for Fiji to have more professional boxing gyms to help produce champions. Lewis was present at the Tuvasu Hall at Queen Elizabeth Barracks yesterday witnessing day one of boxing of the 2018 ANZ Ratu Ratu Sukuna Bowl competition which he believes will produce more Fijian amateur champions in future.
“I have been flying to Fiji for a long time from time to time. I came over for different occasions,”Lewis said.
“The problem in Fiji there’s not enough gyms here to help amateur boxers, Fiji have produced world class fighters before with the likes of Sunia Cama, Alipate Korovou and Sakaraia Ve.
“Looking at boxing here, these two forces (RFMF, Fiji Police) will definitely produce good amateur boxers.”
Lewis is best known for working with six World Champions, most notably Jeff Fenech and Kostya Tszyu.Fijian boxers he helped included Jo Keresi. He is currently in the country guiding Winston Hill and had also worked with the Fiji Police Boxing Club for one day building up to the one-week Sukuna challenge.
Lewis rates Hill
Republic of Fiji Military Forces defeated the Fiji Police Force 2-0 to win the football final of the ANZ Ratu Sukuna Bowl Challenge at Bidesi Park yesterday.
The last time RFMF won the football title was in 2014.
Police was a better side and had the services of district reps with the likes of Suva defender Waisake Navunigasau and Labasa goalkeeper Akuila Mataisuva.
But this failed to stop the urgency to win by the men from Delainabua who were unstoppable from the start.
He strongly feels Hill could resurrect boxing in Fiji.
“He has been coming over to Australia and working with us,”Lewis said.
“And we are trying to spend most time with Winston. He has got so much potential and I think he could resurrect boxing in Fiji.
“I think Winston sits in the same row as Alipate Korovou, Sakaraia Ve and undoubtedly that kid will be a world class fighter. He’s staying disciplined.
“We did a bit of work with Police, not much but we went to watch them and we spent one day training with them. They invited us over today and I’m enjoying myself.
“When it’s over I will say that I’m happy that I have made the choice of coming over, so far so good.”
Meanwhile, in the earlier results yesterday Zoeb Ali of Police defeated teammate Aman Anad.
In the 64kg category Jone Koroilagilagi of Police defeated teammate Akuila Gaunavou by technical knockout.
In the second welterweight bout RFMF’s Vilimoni Drotini defeated Police Nemani Korowale in a split points’ decision.
RFMF Jiko Rokobuli defeated Tomasi of Fiji Police by knockout in the 69kg category.
Edited by Osea Bola RFMF head coach Riyaz Ali believes their six weeks of sacrifice has finally paid off.
“We were in camp for almost six weeks training as the last time we won was in 2014, it’s been four years since we win it again.
“My message to the players was keep on applying pressure and focus on our defence,” Ali said. RFMF goalkeeper Epeli Loaniceva received player of the match award.
“I have a lot of confidence in Epeli, I was working with him for almost six weeks and I’m happy with the effort.”
Edited by Osea Bola