Lepani Wilson Photo: Supplied
Fijian boxers should upskill themselves and stop turning the sport into a show that does not meet the standards fans expect, a Sydney-based Fijian boxing trainer Lepani Wilson says.
Lepani Wilson, Fiji's only boxing trainer to have won a world boxing title, said although it was "great to see that there are big promotions and fun events now with boxing back home, boxers need to up their game".
The Kadavu man trained Renold Vatubua Quiland, an Australian boxer with Fijian heritage, to win the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) super-middleweight title against Daniel Geale on 14 October, 2016.
Geale was a former International Boxing Association (IBA) and World Boxing Assocation (WBA) middleweight champion when he fought Quiland.
Wilson also called on the Boxing Fiji Commission (BFC) to stop sending boxers without track records to fight against overseas-based opponents.
Having reviewed some of the Fiji-based boxing promotions in the past 12 months, Wilson believes some of the current boxers have not learned the skills properly.
Some are even acting like overseas boxers who use the media to promote themselves well, he said.
"But unlike those overseas boxers some of our local boxers talk too much and don't perform in the ring," he said.
"Some say they are the best of Fiji boxing. But they should learn to speak with wisdom, know the Fijian boxing history and be respectful to those that had gone before them."
Wilson said former Fijian boxers, like champion Sakaraia Ve, should be respected, as they fought for world titles in the past, taking Fiji boxing to world fame.
"And like Ve they should learn to upskill themselves so they can be better boxers," he said.
"I want to see boxers put on the best show they can for fans because they box with style, skills and can give fans real boxing shows to enjoy."
Ve was one of the first Fijian boxers to be ranked in the top 10 of world boxing and fought for the world title also.
Need better standards, former sports journalist says
Wilson's call was something that former The Fiji Times sports journalist and current head of the University of the South Pacific media school Dr Shailendra Singh also echoed after last weekend's boxing promotion in Suva.
Dr Singh said boxers should stop "showboating" and need to train seriously for their fights.
He reckons last weekend's Bluewater Boxing Promotion was good in bringing fans together but some of the boxing matches were not up to standard, especially the cruiserweight title fight between Alivereti Kauyaca and top contender Joseph Kwadjo.
It also featured Ubbayd Haider (formerly Nathan Singh) against Mohammed Ali in the main supporting bout.
Singh says he reckon the worst bout was the main bout between Kwadjo and Kauyaca.
"It was worse than a sparring session. It was worse than the exhibition bouts between the two 50-year-olds and the two kids who fought after that," he said.
"The referee was the biggest loser in this fight for failing to tell the boxers to 'fight' or get disqualified. Kwadjo has served the sport well but should retire for his own good.
"Problem is not enough active boxers in Fiji, so the promoters keep recycling him.
"I thought Nathan (Haider) did well. It was an easy night for him. Far too skilled for Mohammed (Ali).
"He needs to stop the showboating though. I reckon that he's an exciting fighter with loads of talent who trains seriously for all his fights. Against a serious opponent he will step up."
Fiji Jone Davule Koroilagilagi, blue, won his debut bout by unanimous (5-0) points win over Luckmore Kamoto from Zimbabwe in the lightweight category at the 2023 World Boxing Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 3 May 2023. Photo: Facebook / Boxing Fiji
Safety first
Meanwhile, Wilson has called on the Fiji Boxing Commission to always put boxers' safety first all the time.
He said there were a few boxers who fought in the Suva program who had to lose weight at the weigh-in so they can fight.
"That's a big risk because sudden weight loss can cause boxers to be weak during the fight, putting themselves at risk in the process," he said.
He also stated that sending novice boxers to fight against experienced boxers overseas should also be stopped.
Recent cases involved two female Fijian boxers who were taken to New Zealand last month to fight in an Auckland promotion.
Wilson said both boxers were novices who were billed to fight against more experienced opponents.
In response, the BFC said they believed the boxers involved understood the "duty of care" which involves their trainer/coach, promoter, referee, cornermen and the ring supervisor and all are accountable for the safety and wellbeing of boxers.
The BCF said the BCF Act allows boxers under the age of 18 years and 40 years to participate provided that the Medical Clearance confirms that the boxers are physically and mentally fit which had been adhered to.