Samoan boxer one fight away from Commonwealth gold

13 April 2018, 12:00AM

There is only one fight separating Samoan boxer, Ato Plodzicki Faoagali, from a dream finish at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

And standing in his way to a gold medal is Sammy Lee of Wales.

Faoagali stormed into the final of the 81+ kg division after a courageous clash against 29year old Canadian Harley O'Reilly in the quarters.

Leilua Jerry Uesele reports from the Gold Coast that from the outset, Faoagali took control of the fight and stood pound for pound against a veteran opponent and also switched his stance from orthodox to southpaw in all three rounds.

Despite a cut above the eye from his previous fight he fought hard and came out on top reminding elderly Samoan boxing fans of some of the great names that fought in the past for Samoa like Laavasa, William White, Tuna Scanlan, Monty Betham, Tony.Latulipe to name a few.

Emilio Leti, Bob Casio, Sam Leuii took Samoa to this stage in Commonwealth Games Boxing in the past but Ato will be the first to bring home a Gold to reconfirm Samoa's presence in the Commonwealth, Leilua reports.

If Faoagali wins, he will bring up Samoa’s third gold medal at the Games. Whatever the outcome, the boxer will increase Samoa’s medal tally to five, two gold and three silver medals. 

13 April 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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