Let’s get it on: Fight for Marist

09 February 2016, 12:00AM

The boxers who will fight in the corporate bouts for the Vailima Fight for Marist event were revealed yesterday.

Present at the introduction were the boxers, their managers/coaches, the Vailima Fight for Marist Committee as well as referees and representatives from the major sponsor Vailima – Samoa’s very own beer.

There will be seven corporate bouts ranging from fights between the legal and accounting professions; golden oldies; rugby union against rugby league; faafafine etc.

Fiu Ponifasio Vasa who is fighting for Rugby League Samoa laid down the gauntlet when he uttered the challenge, ‘Rugby Union – you are going down!’ 

Maka Sapolu who is fighting in the ‘Battle of David vs Goliath’ is looking forward to the challenge and is not fazed by his bigger and taller opponent, Malumalusa ‘Temple’ Mulipola of the accounting firm Su’a & Pauga. 

Stepping into the ring for the first time will be lawyer Fetuliai ‘Star’ Lagaaia who is fighting against accountant Norris Mitchell in the ‘Battle of the Minds’.  The second lawyer who will be fighting in the corporate bouts is Elia Tulifau who is currently the Casino Inspector working at the Gambling and Casino Authority. His opponent is Tony Fiu of NCS Bonus fighting in the ‘Battle of the Gambling Entities’. 

The ‘Battle of the Big Boys’ will be a no holds-bar affair given the amount of venom displayed during the stare-down between Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun and Rudy ‘Snake’ Roebeck. 

The ‘Battle of the Drag Queens’ will feature Saunoa ‘Sandra the Xplora’ Poai of the Faafafine Samoa Association against Tarida ‘Bruce Lee’ of Marist Netball Club.

In the senior category will be Palea’e Steve Keil of Samoa Golden Oldies Rugby Club against Lemusu Leota of Marist Golden Oldies Sports Club. Both fighters are over 60 years old but are extremely fit. All corporate bouts will use 14 oz gloves except for the senior category which will use 16 oz gloves. The doctor for the night will be Dr. Faitasi Gaee. Officiating the bouts will be officials from SABA (Samoa Amateur Boxing Association).

The keynote address at the introduction was given by the President of the Marist St Joseph’s Sports Club, Laulu Henry Taefu. 

He outlined his sports club’s plans to be more involved in the sport of boxing as he believes there is so much boxing talent in Samoa. He also thanked Vailima and the corporate boxers for putting their hands up to help with the sport of boxing.

Kim Carruthers spoke on behalf of the General Manager of Vailima. She thanked the boxers for agreeing to fight in this charitable event and wished them all the best.

Also to be featured at the Vailima Fight for Marist event is the finals for all categories of the National Youth Amateur Boxing Competition. These fighters are the future of boxing for Samoa and their raw talent will be showcased for all to witness. The main bout will be between Samoa’s Petelo Matagi and Tonga’s Kanongataa Atonio. Petelo has already qualified for the Rio Olympics. Kanongataa is Tonga’s Elite Champion and Olympic Qualifier Asian Games 2016.

The Vailima Fight for Marist event will take place on Wednesday 17th February 2016 at Gym One, Tuanaimato. Doors will open at 6:30pm. Corporate tables (of 8) cost $1,200 each (free food and Vailima beer). Corporate tickets are available at SSAB Megastore. General admission to be paid at the door is $5 per person. For more information, please contact Boxing Tournament Coordinator, Tavui Mike Lemisio ph 7628769 or President, Laulu Henry Taefu ph 7585450 of Marist St Joseph’s Sports Club, Inc.

 


09 February 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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