Indigenous Australian Boxing Team in Suva for Boxing Program

22 October 2007

A team of ten indigenous Australian boxers has arrived in Suva to participate in a two-tournament match this week with local boxers from Boxing Fiji.

The boxers are from different parts of Australia and the team is led by Team Manager Mr Syl Johns and Team Coach, Mr Neville Munn. Also accompanying the team is Mr Michael Connolly, as a Cultural Ambassador.

Australian High Commissioner, James Batley, said “The High Commission is delighted to help sponsor this visit, to promote sporting links between Australia and Fiji, in particular involving indigenous Australian sportsmen.”

Mr Batley said Aboriginal boxers held an outstanding place in the history of the sport in Australia, with legends such as Lionel Rose, Tony Mundine and now Anthony Mundine being household names in Australia.

Apart from the boxing matches, the visiting team members will take time out to learn about Fiji, its people and the blend of different cultures that exist here. They will also be liaising with Rotary to distribute books and other items to nearby communities.

Representing different weight divisions, the boxers will compete in two tournaments in the Lower Suva Civic Auditorium tomorrow (Tuesday) night and again on Thursday evening against a team of young boxers representing Fiji Boxing.

Also in the Australian team is former Fiji Boxing official and match referee, Mr Seru Whippy who now lives in Brisbane.


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