Today is fight night and Samoa’s Minister of Sports is getting behind the event and calls all of Samoa to support the event dubbed, Next Generation Judgment Day.
“My challenge to you Marist Boxing Samoa is to build up our boxers so we can win Gold at the next Olympics Games in Paris, France”.
Hon Seuula Ioane, Minister of Education, Sports and Culture laid down the challenge as he delivered the keynote address to launch the Next Generation Judgment Day (Corporate Boxing Dinner) set for tonight, Friday 25th November 2022.
Hon Seuula thanked Marist Boxing for helping to develop boxing in Samoa and acknowledged the collaboration with Samoa Boxing Federation and the Samoa Professional Boxing Association to bring Samoa’s favorite boxing sons home for their first professional bouts.
Two-time Commonwealth Games silver medalist, Tupuola Seua’i Ato Leau Plodzicki-Faoagali and Olympian Marion Ah Tong will face top ranked professional Fijian boxers tonight at Tuanaimato in an event that is not to be missed.
Plodzicki-Faoagali represented Samoa at the recent Olympic Games in Tokyo coming away with the silver medal after a close final against Games hosts, England.
The “Next Generation Judgment Day” is the latest instalment of the Fight for Marist where both Ato and Marion will debut as professional boxers.
Samoa’s Minister of Education Sports and Culture welcomed all those taking part at the “Next Generation Judgment Day fight night”.
“I also want to make special mention of the boxers and officials from overseas, namely Australia, New Zealand and Fiji”.
Seuula reflected back on how the sport of boxing was introduced to Samoa by the Marist Brothers, and today, the small island nation can boast to have some of the world’s best.
“We have Samoans who have fought on the World stage in the likes of David Tua, Joseph Parker and Maselino Masoe to name a few,” said the Minister.
“Aside from rugby and weightlifting, boxing is another sport that Samoa has always excelled. Samoa would always win Gold Medals at the Pacific Games from boxing”.
About 7 years ago, Marist re-started their boxing ring with the aim of developing Samoa’s local talent and to win Gold at major international games.
In February 2016, the Marist Boxing Samoa hosted its first Fight for Marist. Since then, the Fight for Marist installment has become an annual event where Marist has been able to bring overseas boxers to either fight against our local talent or appear as special guests.
One such special guest was Jai Opetaia, the current World IBF Boxing Champion in the cruiserweight division.
The Minister encouraged all to buy a ticket for the event and acknowledged that funds from the annual Fight for Marist events have helped develop and support boxers that fight under the Marist Boxing Ring.
The event will also showcase Samoa’s local boxing talent fighting against boxers from New Zealand and Australia.
“So this Friday will be quite a night to witness quality amateur and professional boxing,” said the Minister as he urged everyone to buy a corporate table and support boxing development.
“To our guests from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji I wish you all the best on fight night… I also hope you will find the time to visit our pristine beaches and enjoy our Samoan culture and hospitality”.
“To our local boxers, sauni e tau le taua e pei o le tatou Toa Samoa lea faatoa maea atu le latou taaloga mataina..
“Ia malamalama tou mata, ia po uliuli tou tino, ma ia tafe toto tou ala..
“Ma tautuana ia outou, “E le sau le moa folau vivini i totonu o eleele o le moa fanua.”.
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