Tonga takes on Fiji in Heavy Weight boxing revival, Friday July 1 [1]
Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 20:15. Updated on Friday, May 9, 2014 - 16:19.
A professional heavy weight boxing fight between the Heavy Weight Champion of Fiji, Fatu Tuimaono (Honey Boy) and Walter Pupu'a (Ikahui) of Tonga in Nuku'alofa on Friday, July 1, kick starts professional boxing in Tonga after it has declined to a tiring amateur status during the past few years.
Ki'isione Fakafanua, of the Faua Promotion, said that after 10 years of involvement in amateur boxing he realised that the only way forward for boxing in Tonga and in the region was to move up another level to professional boxing.
He said that professional boxing meant different things to different boxers. "I have been told that a Tongan boxer, Luke Veikoso, when he was an amateur boxer, was not an impressive figher, but when he turned professional, he was a dynamic fighter."
Ki'isione recalled a number of amateur boxers that he was associated with over the years who had the same frame of mind as Luke, "but most of them lose their enthusiasm about boxing after the amateur status, and some of them are in jail. I am hoping to get back in to the ring those who are still roaming around free, and those who are in jail when they finish their time."
Boxing ring
Ki'isione has a big vision for the future of professional boxing in Tonga. He sowed the seed with the building of a boxing ring and a gym for boxers. Work was still in progress at the gym but it has been used for inter-island boxing tournament and for training.
Walter Ikahui Pupu'a, a professional boxer who was deported back from the USA in 2002 heard about what Ki'isione was trying to do, and realised that he has been given another chance to get back in the ring. Ki'isione agreed for Ikahui to challenge the Fiji heavy weight champion, Fatu Tuimaono (Honey Boy) for a 10 round fight in Nuku'alofa on July 1.
Ikahui was hopeful that if he won this fight it would give him the opportunity to fight for the South Seas title. He believed that with a South Seas Title it would open up the door for professional fights in New Zealand, Australia and even in the USA.
Ikahui began boxing at the age of 15 in the USA. He turned professional at 18, fighting in the Light Weight Division with an unbeaten record of six fights, three knock outs, one draw, and two fights won on points.
Ikahui stopped fighting in 1994 when he broke his hand, and his chances of returning to professional boxing were further hampered when he was deported back to Tonga in 2002.
The other three Tongan boxers who will be launching their professional careers on Friday are Hemaloto Kaihea, 'Ioane Lau'i and Taniela Nofomuli.
Hemaloto will be fighting Sitiveni Papa Gonerata for six rounds in the Light Weight Division, and 'Ioane Lau'I from Vava'u will fight Taniela Nofomuli of Vaotu'u, also in the light weight division, but for only four rounds.
Hemaloto is also keen to launch his professional career, and looked forward to winning a South Seas title, and to having more fights.