Last blast for Volau before weight drop
CRAIG JOHNS BREAKS THE FIRST RULE
JONE TK Volau will have his final fight at heavyweight next weekend before dropping down to cruiserweight.
The Fijian-born, North Eastbased, boxer will be part of the March 16 co-promotion from Phil Jeffries and Steve Wraith – aptly named New Kidz On The Block – which takes place at Rainton Meadows Arena.
And, while still only nine fights in to his professional career (five wins and four defeats), the 35-year-old fanfriendly slinger will add a veteran taste to this card centred on rising young pups in the North East such as Joe Laws and Luke Cope.
Volau is currently on a threefight losing streak but takes no discredit from regularly fighting on the road while mixing his boxing career with his full-time job as a bombardier in the armed forces.
Next week he will make a rare home appearance, but still he’ll be mixing with good company in the form of David Howe who’s mixed with the likes of David Allen, Gary Cornish and Daniel Dubois.
But after that fight he plans to move down to cruiserweight.
He said: “I’m still loving every moment of being a professional boxer. We have to fight away from home a lot but I just love to fight and love the challenge.
“But, during the last fight in Ukraine, me and my coach (Paul) Charters decided that moving down to cruiserweight would be the sensible option.
“The guys at heavyweight are just too big for me and it makes more sense for my size to be at cruiserweight going forward. I look at that domestic cruiserweight division and I think there’s an opportunity there. The good British guys are going to be moving on beyond the domestic scene now and that should leave a vacuum waiting for someone to fill it. I can be that guy. A lot of people keep telling me I can do really well at that weight.”
Volau is rather aptly named “Bomber”, which matches both his career as a bombardier and also the punches he so often throws when in the ring.
While one of the nicest people you could wish to meet outside the squared circle, in it he is the thing of nightmares as he barrages forward with big bomb after big bomb, all accompanied by a menacing groan that makes it hard not to notice him.
It’s a style that has made him a particular crowd favourite wherever he’s boxed. After his defeat in Ukraine in December he was treated like a star by onlookers at ringside, regularly being stopped for selfies after his mini war that only lasted three rounds.
But will he be comfortable making cruiserwieight? And, crucially, will he be able to retain his power? “I think I’ll be able to make cruiserweight comfortably,” he says.
“Me and Charters have already been discussing the weight cut and, after this fight, we’re going to have one week rest and then get straight back into the gym and start the process of cutting down.
“We want to do it properly and safely though, so we’ll take the time that we need, but I’m confident that we should be ready to go again for the June Summer Rumble show which usually takes place at the Stadium of Light. As for my power, I believe I will take that down to cruiserweight with me.
“We’ll do all the right training to ensure it does and also power can come from speed, timing and technique too. I feel comfortable that if I catch a cruiserweight sweet they’ll be struggling to stay up.”
Tickets for Volau’s final heavyweight fight on March 16 at the Rainton Meadows Arena are on sale now from all boxers on the card, which also features the likes of Joe Laws, Luke Cope and Dean Laing.