The Fiji Times

Junior Joy to stamp his mark

- By ROHIT DEO

It was a proud moment for boxing fans whenever Fiji’s golden boy the late Joy Ali took to the ring for his bouts.

Trying to carry on his dad’s legacy, Joy’s 19-year-old son Zulfikar “Junior Joy” Ali will be out to stamp his mark and try and get into profession­al boxing.

The amateur division boxer will face Abhay Chand Jr, son of Abhay Chand from the highlands of Navosa in the South Pacific Boxing Promotion next week.

According to promoter Freddy Chand, the winner of this fight will gain a spot in profession­al boxing.

Ali said he would try his best to carry on with his family legacy and was predicting a second round knowckout win.

“I will knock him out in the second round. My dad was undefeated locally and I will carry on with his legacy he left behind. I am grateful and honoured for this opportunit­y and will not let my fans down,” Ali said.

He said his family support had been high and he had been assisted by his uncle Junior Farzan “The Razor” Ali.

“My dad’s borther, Farzan Ali is in Nadi but he has been helping me with training. Also my fua (aunty) Farina Shafiya Raza, who is also my manager, has been working hard to assist me in this fight.”

The two met in a bout in a 2020 promotion and that fight ended in a draw.

The event takes place at the American Internatio­nal School Hall in Nadi next Saturday.

(8x3 min cruiserwei­ght contest) Alivereti Kauyaca-Isikeli Senidoko; (10x3 min Fiji super flyweight title) Junior Binnu SinghRites­h Goundar; (6x3 min light heavyweigh­t contest) Abhay Taniela Chand-Robin Hazelman; (6x3 min light heavyweigh­t contest) Opeti Tagi-Apisai Naciqa; (6x3 min lightweigh­t contest) Junior Farzan-Gaberieli Ravalawa; (4x3 min middleweig­ht contest) Fredrick Chand-Shefrazud Dean; (4x3 min middleweig­ht contest) Manoa Tuiyaro-Sireli Vasikali.

 ?? Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU ?? Zulfikar Zeraan Ali, left, spars with elder brother Nikesh Prasad during a training session in Caubati on Thursday.
Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU Zulfikar Zeraan Ali, left, spars with elder brother Nikesh Prasad during a training session in Caubati on Thursday.

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