Legends At Night Of The Young Boxing Contenders

Legends At Night Of The Young Boxing Contenders

Source: eventpolynesia.com (By Julian Slade)

Some of the legends of Samoa and New Zealand boxing were celebrated at an Otara fight night that showcased a new generation of up-and-coming contenders.

Fighters from the Golden Era of Polynesian boxing - such as Battling La’avasa, Alex Su'a, James Meredith, Fred Schuster, Peter Schmidt, Aukuso Tanuvasa - were honoured at the Event Polynesia Boxing show.

The Otara Leisure Centre was packed last Tuesday night, with fight fans eager to see the professional boxing stars of the future, and to applaud the ring pioneers who paved the way forward.

The capacity crowd was treated to some hard hitting ring action, with a couple of quick finishes in the heavyweight division.

And it was showtime for boxing purists, with Leti Leti (welterweight), Afakasi Pele Faumui (middleweight), Warren Fuiava (lightheavyweight) and Vaitele Soi (cruiserweight) all impressing with classy ringcraft in their wins.

"These former Samoan amateur champs have all the gifts for stellar pro careers," says veteran boxing correspondent Dave Cameron.

Cameron, who photographs fighters for his regular columns in the Australian Ring magazine, says he enjoyed the way that local legends of the fight were honoured.

Not all the sportsmen were in the ring. All Black and league legend Vaiga Tuigamala, Waikato Chiefs back extraordinare Lelia Masaga and Samoa legendary weightlifter and SASNOC vice president Segi Bee Leung Wai gave star power to the show, while Labour MP Su'a William Sio enjoyed the action ringside. And a wide selection of Auckland fight game identities were also in attendance plus Samoa Amateur Boxing Association vice president Seve Sung Chan Chui.

Crowd favourite Junior Pati scored three knockdowns in his first-round KO win over Junior Iakapo, who put on a brave performance in his pro debut as a replacement for Lighting Lupe.

The heavyhanded Pati is an exciting fighter, as he has knockout power in either hand.

And - despite giving away a lot of weight - Samoan pro cruiserweight champion Vaitele Soi had a TKO catchweight win over Fijian heavyweight Ben Naqasima, after two minutes and ten seconds into the first round of their scheduled four-rounder.

Drawcard and former NZ welterweight amateur champion Leti Leti - on the threshold of a pro career in the United States - made quick work of his opponent. Impressing with his power and timing in a first-round stoppage of Paz "Pistol" Viejo, usually known for his defensive prowess.

Warren Fuiava had a points win over Tapunu'u Tagiilima, while Afakasi Pele Faumui also had a points win, over Star Chong Nee.

United States fighter Clarence "Big Daddy" Tillman (130kg) - who fought on the undercard of the recent David Tua show - had a points win over Gogosina Ulutoa (100kg).

Teleiai Edwin Puni of Event Polynesia stages regular boxing promotions in both New Zealand and Samoa.

“Staging four promotions in Samoa and two in New Zealand each year is a huge undertaking by Event Polynesia. To build boxing champions someone has to provide the much need tournaments,” says Teleiai.

The Manukau Pro Am Fights were established two years ago and promoted as the ‘Fight for Unity’, a community initiative to unite South Auckland communities, as a response to the spate of violent robberies and assaults in the area.

The Samoan and wider boxing community are supporting Event Polynesia shows as they provide a career path for young up-and-comers, with fight fans welcoming the showcase for boxers on the rise.

Tuesday's show was an alcohol-free event, that was marked by positivity and respect. Fighters' connections to Samoan villages were announced and applauded.

DVD copies of the ManukauPro Am Fights is now available from Video A’au Production; telephone (+649) 263-8383 or visit website: www.videoaau.co.nz

The next Event Polynesia Boxing promotion is the Samoa Pro Am Fights in Apia on Tuesday 1st June to coincide with the Samoa Independence Day.

For more information and Event Polynesia Boxing calendar visit website www.eventpolynesia.com.

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