Tua to attend local fight night

Samoan heavyweight boxer David ‘Tuamanator’ Tua will cast an expert eye over local boxers tomorrow when he attends the fight night at the Banana Court.

The Tuamanator is not expected to fight – but he will certainly be cheering on the local boxers and perhaps sharing some pointers with the fighters.

Tua will be asked to sign a number of boxing gloves which the boxing association plans to auction off to raise much needed funds for the code which is also preparing for the Pacific Games.

Seven bouts have been confirmed for the night and will feature Rarotonga club boxers and one fighter known as Frank ‘the lighting’ Benioni from Aitutaki.

The planned bouts for the night are Frank Benioni versus James Strickland , Ngaau Samuel versus Rauti Ellison, Bernard versus Osolei , Eli Daniel versus Michael Edward and the main event between two former national boxing representatives Eddie Daniel and Mathew Titoa.

CIABA president Tupou Faireka says that the rest of the boys will be matched on the night and they include Toutika Ioane, Travel, Maui Siulepa, Harmon Royal and John Andrew.

He adds that two boxers from Atiu were also keen to be part of the fight night but will join the next organised fight night in June.

CIABA will also be hosting a boxing tournament between the Cook Islands and Tahiti on June 2 here on Rarotonga.

Faireka says that the Tahiti club president Tauhiti Nena confirmed the arrangements last week.

Faireka is also very appreciative and thankful to minister of sport Mark Brown, government and president of CISNOC Sir Geoffery Henry for handing over all the boxing gear bought for the 2009 Pacific Mini Games to Cook Island Amateur Boxing Association.

“This is one of the difficulties for some of the sport codes like boxing – the lack of funding,” says Faireka.

“Rest assured that all the boxing or sporting equipment will be distributed among all islands interested in the sport of boxing.

“This could be the beginning for Cook Islands boxing returning to its former glory days when Toro George, Peter Marsters, Piri Puruto and George Robati were the Pacific Champions in the sixties.”

Faireka is thrilled that David Tua will be in the crowd on Saturday and invites the general public to head to the Banana Court on Saturday to support the local boxers and mingle with the Tuamanator.