Boxing In Samoa Will Come Alive If Done Properly

Boxing In Samoa Will Come Alive If Done Properly
Source: eventpolynesia.com

Managing Director of Event Polynesia, Pa’u Fereti Puni, is adamant that boxing in Samoa will come alive if done properly.

If the close to full capacity at Faleata Gym # 1 during the Samoa Independence Pro Am Fights is to go by, then boxing in Samoa has certainly made a come back.

Especially with a strong attendance by the business community led by champions of Samoan sports Tupua Fred Wetzell, Lealiie’e Rudy Ott, Francis Craig, Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale and Alaiasa Schwartz Hunt joined by local companies Pacific Aluminum, British American Tobacco, PacificEzy Money Transfer, Latu Law and KEW Consultants.

However Pa’u cautions that the perception by many that boxing promotion in Samoa is a money making business is far from the truth.

“It’s funny how after the boxing promotion, the only thing people say is how full the event was instead of commenting on how the tournament and local boxers have developed over the years. All they were thinking about is how much money was made on the night,” said Pa’u.

The truth is, without the support of Government through TAB funding, SSFA and media support by TV3, TV1, Radio 2AP and Samoa Observer in the last four years, the SPAF tournaments would not have been viable.

And without sponsorship by local businesses like Hennie’s Sports Bar & Motel and Motor 1 Samoa, also the kind donations from Samoa Commercial Bank, Samoa Builders Supplies & ACE Hardware, Maota Samoa and South Seas Pictures, Komiti o le Faleula every year, and individuals like Papalii Morris Scanlan, Toleafoa Elon Betham, La’auli Alan Grey, even reverend ministers there would not have been any professional boxing development as you see it today.

The recent Sagaga Le Falefa electoral petition filed against Tuisa Tasi Patea brought to light a glimpse of the extent of the work behind the scene resulting in the current resurgence of professional boxing in Samoa.

Event Polynesia however can take some comfort from the Rachael Hunter shampoo TV commercial, “It’s not going to happen over night, but it will happen.” That is so true with the results to date.

• The growing popularity of the Samoa Pro Am Fights (SPAF) established four years ago by Event Polynesia in conjunction with South Pacific Professional Boxing Incorporated (SPBI) and Samoa Amateur Boxing Association (SABA) now features the PM’s Cup during the Independence promotion while the December SPAF includes the Honorary Awards presentation for service to boxing.
• The establishment in April of a High Performance Academy (HPA) for professional boxing in Samoa. But without its own facility, the training program with twenty two (22) professional boxers is only made possible though the kind assistance of JP Fitness.
• Collaboration with the New Zealand boxing fraternity has enabled Event Polynesia to stage promotions in New Zealand; also enabling local boxers to train and fight out of New Zealand in the last three years. This is a much needed step for local professional boxers to be ‘culturelised’ overseas and be mentored in the business side of boxing. But being non New Zealand residents, they have to return to Samoa after every fight which is a very costly exercise.
• Successful negotiations with New Zealand promoters have opened the door for local boxers to fight on major cards being televised internationally like the David Tua vs. Demetrius King promotion, the New Zealand 2011 Last Man Standing promotion and the recent Sonny Bill William (SBW) and Anthony Mundine promotion. Team Samoa’s record so far this year is eight (8) fights, seven (7) wins and one (1) draw. Of the seven (7) wins, four (4) are by way of KO.
• Successful inclusion of Samoan professional boxers to participate in tournaments in China, the centre of world boxing in the Asia Pacific region, with Samoan Middleweight champion Pele Faumui being the first last year, winning by unanimous decision.
• Samoan champion Vaitele Soi now ranked number three (3) in New Zealand in the cruiserweight division behind Muyoyo Mensah (WBO # 12) and Shane Cameron. On Sunday, Samoan Light Heavyweight champion Warren Fuiava claimed the best fight of the night after knocking out Australian title contender Daniel Baff in the fifth (5) round on the SBW and Mundine promotion.
• Negotiations are underway to see the establishment of a Team Samoa camp in Las Vegas later this year to enable one or two more local professional fighters to join Leti who is trained by one of America’s best trainer, Mr. Kenny Adams. Leti’s professional record is five fights, winning all by KO.

“This year’s annual challenge for the Prime Minister’s Cup was a heated fixture with Samoa taking back the cup from last year’s winner American Samoa. The inclusion of the SPAF event as part of the official Samoa Independence program starting last year is a real boost to the development of the sport in both Samoa.”

Deputy Prime Minister Fonotoe Nuafesili Lauofo presented the cup on behalf of the PM.

As the Samoan saying goes, “E ta’aalo lava tama a o le uso.” Such was the spirit of sportsmanship emulated with the two amateur teams marching side by side the following morning together with all the professional boxers who fought each other the night before, and officials during the march pass at Tiafau.

“It was good to see Hon. Tolofuaivalelei Leiataua, co-chair of the Samoa Independence Committee, attending with fellow Members of Parliament to witness the potential of the SPAF tournament as a major sport fixture for Samoa’s 50th Independence celebration,” said Pa’u.

The addition of Government organizations that used the SPAF event to promote their services to the community was another great addition. Other Samoa sports bodies can also take a leaf out of the support of Rugby League Samoa and Football Federation Samoa to boxing on the fight night.

“With cold Vailima draught running out before the Leti verses Waru main event, it sure was a affirmation of the interest in corporate hospitality now added to the boxing entertainment, something that is very popular overseas.

According to Pa’u, “Next year’s Independence promotion is the right time to bring a World Boxing Organisation (WBO) regional title fight back to Samoa. That time, one of the local professional boxers will be ready to take that belt.”

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