Fiji Sun

Youngsters urged to take up boxing

- SIMIONE HARAVANUA SUVA Edited by Leone Cabenatabu­a

Young boxers joining Fiji Amateur Boxing Associatio­n’s Big Monday Night fights is the way forward for the sport, says a senior official. This was gist of FABA president, Manasa Baravilala’s message after more than 100 boxers attended the last programme. He confirmed that next Monday’s programme at the Commander Stan Brown’s Gym in Walu Bay, Suva, is going to

start at 10am. It is because it is the Constituti­onal Day’s public holiday

“It’s good to see that there are a lot of new young boxers that have joined the competitio­n,” Baravilala said.

“In boxing these kids have only a minute inside the ring and that’s only 60 seconds and one minute rest. That has been designed to make the sport safer.

“For me it’s about the safety issues and that has been one of the areas that the Interna

tional Boxing Associatio­n has changed and we at Fiji Boxing are strongly emphasing.” Baravilala said the changes are aimed to protect young boxers.

“Many people think that boxing is for tough people who are big and muscular and this often deters those who want to take up the sport.

“Please be rest assured that boxing is a sports just like rugby, soccer and netball. We also have our own discipline for boxing and training programme.

“The rise in the number of young boxers indicates that the interests of these young boys are drasticall­y rising whenever they hear and watch boxing.” “We’ve got the Newtown Boxing Club and the Kwadjo Boxing Academy that have put in the effort to help in grooming future boxers.

“I urge all young kids to join boxing and I guarantee that you will love the game.”

 ?? Photo: Boxing Fiji ?? From left:
Elia Rokobuli of Lighthouse Boxing Club against Waisea Vakaloloma of Uptown Boxing Club at the Commander Stan Brown Gym in Walu Bay, Suva on August 28, 2020.
Photo: Boxing Fiji From left: Elia Rokobuli of Lighthouse Boxing Club against Waisea Vakaloloma of Uptown Boxing Club at the Commander Stan Brown Gym in Walu Bay, Suva on August 28, 2020.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Fiji