Tonga's Walter Pupu'a new Light Heavyweight Champ [1]
Monday, September 17, 2007 - 10:00. Updated on Friday, June 13, 2014 - 19:42.
Walter Pupu'a (32) of Vaotu'u, Tongatapu, is the new South Pacific Light Heavyweight Champion after knocking out former Samoan champion Alapati Kitiona in the first round of their 12 round professional fight in Apia, Samoa on September 10.
The win is a dream come true for the aspiring boxer whose wish is that one day, he can bring back to Tonga a world title belt.
Returning to Tonga last week, Walter - known as the "Tongan Warrior" said that when he went to Samoa he was ready to not only fight but to win, and he knocked out his opponent just after two minutes in the first round.
"For a Tongan to win this belt has been long overdue and as a professional boxer my dream has always been to bring back my belts to the islands," he said.
Rematch
Danny Taumopeau, his manager said that after their victorious win, the Samoans challenged them for a rematch and they agreed to hold it in Nuku'alofa on October 17.
"The opponent was pleased with the rematch, but I told him, don't be pleased be ready", said the manager.
Danny said that Walter went to Samoa as a lonesome warrior with no local support, but he went on a mission to bring the belt to Tonga and he did.
The new Tongan champion holds the South Pacific title for the first time, and is now setting his sights on winning the Cruiserweight title that is currently held by American Samoa's Siaosi Talosaga. They will meet on November 10 in American Samoa.
Walter who grew up in California, United States, took up boxing at the age of nine but it was not until 1993 that he became a professional boxer and fought in Hawaii, Salt Lake City and around California.
He returned to Tonga in 2004 and continued his boxing career.
"Tonga deserves a world title and I am setting my goals on getting that", he said.