"Sport: Pacific Boxing News @ Eventpolynesia.com"




	05 May, 2010 PELE FAUMUI SIGNED BOXING CONTRACT TO FIGHT IN NEW ZEALAND Source: eventpolynesia.com Event Polynesia has announced the signing of a three year contract by Pele Faumui to fight in New Zealand in the middleweight division. Pele had represented Samoa in the South Pacific Games and Oceania amateur boxing tournaments before turning professional in January 2009. Mr. Tuilagi Saipele Esera of Event Polynesia said, “Pele is the third professional boxer that came through the Samoa Pro Am Fights being held in Apia who have signed a contract to fight out of New Zealand.” The other two who have been fighting in New Zealand for five months now are Vaitele Soi fighting in the cruiserweight division and Warren Fuiava fighting in the light heavyweight division. According to Tuilagi, “Pele is the current Samoa middlweight champion. The only time he will be fighting in Samoa is to defend his title. At this stage there is no credible challenger to the Samoa Middlweight title.” Pele won his first fight in New Zealand on the 13th April and is now preparing for his second fight on the 22nd May against Maori boxer Jamie Waru at Tauranga. Tuilagi reflected on the pathway that was established over three years ago by their company Event Polynesia to provide boxers from Samoa and the Pacific the opportunity to get exposure in New Zealand and overseas. Regarding boxing in Samoa, Event Polynesia works closely with the Samoa Amateur Boxing Association and the South Pacific Boxing Inc. the sanctioning body for professional boxing in staging the quarterly Samoa Pro Am Fights at the Tuanaimato sport facility. Pele is from the villages of Lalomalava and Vaiafai in Iva. He has a professional record of six fights, his only loss was on debut to Ghana boxer Joseph Kwadjo who recently won the IBF Australasia title. Boxers Pele Faumui, Vaitele Soi and Warren Fuiava are currently training in Auckland. Warren has fought five times since fighting in Auckland in January this year and have won all his fights. Vaitele has fought twice winning all his fights as well; his last fight he TKOed Fijian Ben Naqasima after two minutes and ten seconds inside the first round. The upcoming promotion in Tauranga on the 22 May will feature all three Samoan boxers Pele Faumui, Warren Fuiava and Vaitele Soi and will be screened on Maori TV. PHOTOS: [1] Pele Faumui with his trainer Vaelua Fuiava Nofo signing contract with Event Polynesia. [2] Pele Faumui winning in Auckland on the 23 April 2010.



	24 February, 2010 BOXING SENSATION LETI LETI SIGNS WITH TKO BOXING PROMOTIONS Source: eventpolynesia.com Samoa boxing sensation Leti Leti has signed with TKO Boxing Promotions. The announcement was made on Monday by Leti’s Las Vegas based co-manager Cameron Dunkin to coincide with a special media conference in his home country of Samoa on Thursday this week. Event Polynesia Managing Director and Leti’s Samoa based co-manager, Teleiai Edwin Puni, says this is a great achievement for Samoa where professional boxing is struggling to get commercial backing to fund the much needed professional tournaments. According to Teleiai, “Leti is currently spending time with his family in Samoa before moving to the United States where he will be based and exposed to a new audience and U.S. television. Leti is going to be a bright light on the international stage and TKO Promotions is the perfect promoter.” Leti, 22, has an impressive amateur history starting as Samoa Bantam Weight champ from 2003 to 2004 then Samoa Featherweight champ in 2006. 2007 Leti became Samoa Light Welterweight champ and won Samoa a Gold medal in the 2007 Oceania Tournament. Leti moved to New Zealand later in 2007 and became the New Zealand Welterweight champ the following year as well as 2009 before he made his professional debut last month in Auckland, New Zealand, knocking out Aaron Bartlett in the first round of their January 31 bout. “Leti is the goods and the hottest prospect to come out of the Samoa - New Zealand region since David Tua,” said Dunkin. Teleiai also disclosed, “With a win each to Warren Fuiava (light heavyweight) and Vaitele Soi (cruiserweight) in Auckland last month in the New Zealand selection trials, both boxers have claimed the right to represent New Zealand in the upcoming Bloodisloe Cup and have set personal goals to join Leti in Las Vegas in the future.” Warren Fuiava and Vaitele Soi’s success is a testimony of the pathway set up by Event Polynesia three years to the month in association with South Pacific Boxing Incorporated and the Samoa Amateur Boxing Association to deliver to the world stage more champions like Maselino Masoe, Jimmy Thunder and David Tua. Teleiai added, “Look out for Afakasi Pele Faumui and Oli Filimaua in the next Samoa Pro Am Fights in Apia scheduled Tuesday 23rd March 2010. PHOTOS: [1] (L-R) Leti Leti in Auckland being congratulated by (left to right) former Manu Samoa captain and rugby legend Papaliitele Peter Fatialofa, his father Fainuulua Emelio former Samoa & South Pacific Heavyweight champion and WBO Asia Pacific Heavyweight contender, Lauaki Fred Tuilagi double international for Samoa in rugby and league, and Leapai Ricky Brown ‘The Samoan Bomber 52’ former NFL professional player. [2] (L-R) (Standing left to right) Ricky Brown, Lauaki Fred Tuilagi, Chauncy Welliver (WBO Asia Pacific Interim Heavyweight Champion), John Glozzier (NZ co-manager), Teleiai Edwin Puni, Sooalo Setu Mua, Papaliitele Peter Fatialofa, Tuilagi Maiava Saipele Esera, (Seated left to right) Rosa Tomasi-Puni, Fainuulua Emelio Leti, Leti Leti and Ale Vena Ale of South Pacific Boxing Inc. after signing of ‘Management Agreement’ in October 2009. [3] Leti Leti with his father Emelio and Auckland Boxing Association president Ms. Tui Gallagher.



	24 August, 2009 SAMOAN GOVERNMENT DONATES $5,000 TO PROFESSIONAL BOXING Source: eventpolynesia.com Approval of $5,000 assistance by Cabinet last week towards the upcoming Samoa Pro-Am Fights (SPAF) in Apia on Tuesday 8th September has the professional boxing fraternity and boxing fans excited. The grant has been given in support of Samoa local Pro-Boxers and upcoming sensation Vaitele Soi as the main event of the night against former PABA and IPF Pan Pacific champion Mohammed Azzaoui of New Zealand. Soi who turned professional last year, has a record of six wins out of six fights, five wins by way of KO. His recent win in July in front of a capacity crowd at Faleata Gym 1 was in record time, knocking out his Fijian opponent in twenty five seconds into the first round. The October promotion will feature veteran Welterweight former champion Ionatana Pula against up and coming Oli Filimaua. Other undercards includes Warren Fuiavailili verses Uale Leota in the Light Heavyweight division and Afakasi Pele Faumui against Tauave Vainuu in the Middleweight decision. Mr. Tuilagi MS Esera of Event Polynesia Boxing said, “The financial assistance from Government is a huge boost to professional boxing in Samoa.” “It will ensure we can continue to stage the much needed tournaments for local professional boxers to build their records, and to secure overseas opponents”, according to Mr Esera. The announcement by Government comes at the same time professional boxing is celebrating another milestone, having its first two Samoan based professional boxers fighting for World Boxing Organisation (WBO) regional title shots in August. Unfortunately, Seiaute Mailata’s (Samoa cruiserweight champion) challenge for the WBO Oriental Cruiserweight title against Dominic Vea of Australia was unsuccessful earlier in the month. Dominic Vea is the current title holder after Lawrence Tauasa of Samoa who fought out of Australia lost the title after losing out in the Contender Series 4 TV tournament last year. Setting the benchmark of professional boxing in Samoa to date now lies with Togasilimai Letoa’s (Samoa light heavyweight champion) taking a shot at the WBO Asia Pacific Interim title against NZ former Olympian and current light heavyweight champion, Soul Pounceby. Letoa will be fighting on the 28th August at ASB Stadium Auckland ahead of the long awaited David Tua challenge on the 3rd October for the WBO Oriental and WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight titles currently with Shane Cameron. Letoa and his corner Asiata Leon Stanley and Ale Vena Ale departs Tuesday for Auckland. PHOTOS: [1] (L-R) Togasilimai Letoa, Vaitele Soi & Seiaute Mailata. [2] Members of the Samoa boxing fraternity and pro boxers in Apia. [3] Samoa professional team in Auckland with PM John Key and National Party MPs.



	16 March, 2009 SAMOA INTERNATIONAL PRO-AM FIGHTS POSTPONED Source: eventpolynesia.com Boxing promotion company Event Polynesia this week announced the postponement of the annual Samoa International Pro Am Fights (SIPAF) event that was planned for Saturday March 21 to be postponed till next year 2010 on behalf of the SIPAF organisers. The decision to postpone the SIPAF was advised to the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi on Monday by Mr. Teleiai Edwin Puni, Managing Director of Event Polynesia and Event Polynesia local boss Mr. Tuilagi MS Esera, who also confirmed Event Polynesia’s commitment to the establishment of a second tier international tournament as per Fight Calendar released in early January 2009. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi said, “A lot is at stake here for Samoa boxing and the continuation of the SIPAF is crucial. In the meantime, we keep the momentum going and especially now with our local professionals.” Mr. Puni said, “It is unfortunate that we cannot hold the event due to the lack of financial support and funding. There has been a lot of work and planning that has gone into this year’s event to make sure that the par is lifted once more. We are particularly concerned about the opportunity for the local professional boxers to gain world status in the World Boxing Organisation rankings” There is concern over the cancellation of work with boxing teams training and more importantly those involved with the main event having to cancel plans and schedules. The organisers are quite disappointed with the Ministry of Education Sports and Youth for the delay in relaying the decision from Cabinet for Government funding through the Sports Ministry. Mr. Tuilagi MS Esera did not receive any official word from the MESC Sports ACEOs until after two weeks of follow-up. This is crucial lead-up time that the organisers can use to relay decisions and enable them to still keep relationships with overseas sanctioning bodies and especially also the respective boxing camps involved. The Samoa International Pro Am Fights is the pathway to upkeep the momentum for the development of local professionals and to build their CVs and records to be competitive for the honours overseas where the big money fights and international titles are. According to Teleiai, “In order for professional boxing in Samoa to be taken seriously, we have to take a different approach and will require us focusing on the Samoa Professional Fights (SPF), without the amateurs.” “We need to attract a wider audience and for boxing to appeal to Commercial Samoa. The new promotion reconfiguration will involve elite professional boxers, plus the introduction of novice professional fights, corporate fights and the entertaining ultimate fa’afafine bouts.” This is the development of young professionals here in Samoa including the Pele Faumuis, the Miki Ottos, and the Tony Iapesas to build their fight records for going forward. The South Pacific Boxing Inc and other Regional and Oceania titles will be the main contest for the Samoa Professional Fights. Mr. Teleiai Edwin Puni said, “Unfortunately, professional boxing is an expensive sport and does not meet Government funding criteria for financial assistance like all amateur sports. The only hope for professional boxing to develop in Samoa is to get the buy in of the local business community through sponsorship.” “This is a real shame because boxing is the only real international sport that Samoa can be world champions in. Maselino Masoe have proven it; David Tua continues to be a fear factor in the boxing world and is coming back,” according to Mr. Puni. The next Samoa Professional Fights will be held on Thursday 30th April at Gym 1 Faleata. “We welcome Corporate Samoa and all our local sponsors to come on board and be part of the Samoa Professional Fights and be a partner in the Winners Circle” Event Polynesia is leading the resurgence of boxing in the Pacific and is a WBO accredited promoter. The Event Polynesia Boxing promotion calendar 2009 involves tournaments in New Zealand and Samoa. PHOTOS: [1] Mr. Tuilagi MS Esera and Mr. Teleiai SPE Puni. [2] Auckland selection amateur team that participated in the 2009 Samoa International Pro Am Fights. [3] International boxers and trainers participated in the 2009 Samoa International Pro Am Fights.



	01 February, 2007 TEN SAMOAN BOXING PIONEERS NAMED TO RECEIVE HONORARY AWARDS Source: eventpolynesia.com Mr. Teleiai Su’a Edwin Puni, Managing Director of Event Polynesia yesterday announced the names of the recipients of the Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing Honorary Awards to be presented at the Pre-fight Cocktail on Friday 1st February 2008. According to Mr. Puni, “It is fitting that the pioneers of Samoa boxing are honoured at the inaugural Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing event for their service in boxing. This weekend Samoa will not only host representatives from the four main world boxing bodies, but will make boxing history with local referee and judges officiating the WBO Oriental Cruiserweight title.” “Contrary to what most think, it is very hard to raise funds in Samoa to promote boxing and especially to stage international fights here. This is the first and very likely to be the last time Event Polynesia Boxing will bring such an international boxing gathering here to Samoa.” “Event Polynesia Boxing is committed to promoting Samoan boxers. However, the international title fights will have to be in Auckland where we stage our New Zealand fights because of the huge expenses that we incur to bring such events to Samoa.” Mr. Puni and boxing officials will today make a courtesy call to personally thank the Prime Minister, Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi and to thank the Samoa Government for the financial assistance towards the amateur expenses of this event. Mr. Reginald Leca, President of Oceania Boxing Association and representative for PABA and WBA at a media conference yesterday, compared Samoa to Cuba as a force in world boxing. But unlike Cuba, Samoa needs to move its amateur boxers to professional boxing earlier rather than very late as is the case with Maselino Masoe. “This requires amateur boxing to work together with professional boxing in Samoa in association with promoters such as Event Polynesia Boxing, who are helping Samoan professional boxers to get ranking for title fights.” The 10 recipients of the Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing Honorary Awards are: Hon Peter Paul – Promoter, Hon Sala Ulugia Suivai – Promoter / Coach, Savaiinaea Malo Slade – Boxer / Trainer / Coach, Oscar Meredith – Trainer / Coach, Hon Fa’asootauloa Sam Saili – Promoter, Galumalemana Afeleti Betham – Trainer / Coach / Promoter, Hon Polataivao Fosi Schmidt – Boxer / Promoter / Coach, Lesa Eric Fatupaito – Trainer / Coach, Maposua Rudolf Keil – Promoter, and Ulugia Elijah Stanley – Promoter. Corporate packages and tickets are now available; children under 10 years old FREE admission on Fight Night. For more information, contact Event Polynesia office (+685) 28-802. PHOTOS: [1] Mr. Tuilagi Maiava Saipele Esera (Event Polynesia Boxing) with Mr. Lincoln Hudson, Mr. Lawrence Tauasa & Mr. Ale Vena Ale (South Pacific Boxing Incorporated). [2] Mr. Reginald Leca & Mr. Charles Baou with Mr. Teleiai Su’a Edwin Puni (Event Polynesia Boxing). [3] Mr. Walter Pupu’a & Mr. Lawrence Tauasa with Mrs. Suia Talosaga (Event Polynesia Boxing).



	25 January, 2007 SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION AND RENTAL CAR DEALS ANNOUNCED FOR BOXING FANS Source: eventpolynesia.com Overseas interest in the upcoming Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing event in Apia on Saturday 2nd February 2008 will see up to 200 boxing fans and supporters arriving in Samoa next week. Many more are expected to book a ticket to Samoa with the announcement over the week end of special accommodation and rental car deals for boxing fans and supporters. Hotel Kitano Samoa is offering an accommodation special $200 SAT per room per day for up to three people with ELAVA at Vaitele is offering $120 SAT per room per day up to two people with continental breakfast included. Apia Rental is offering a 15% discount to all their vehicles with DAT Car Rentals is offering a special $165 per day for their Hyundai Tucson fleet. This was confirmed by Mr. Teleiai Su’atapulolo’o Edwin Puni, Managing Director of Event Polynesia, “For the next two weeks, Hotel Kitano Samoa and ELAVA Resort will be the home of international boxing with Apia Rental and DAT Car Rentals as the preferred rental car service.” The inaugural Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing is an initiative of Event Polynesia Boxing in association with SPBI and SABA to provide our Samoan boxers both amateur and professional a pathway to boxing world titles by setting up the needed top international competitions right here in Samoa. Mr. Puni credits the support from media partners Samoa Observer, Le Samoa Post, SBC, TV3, Vaiala Beach TV and Radio Polynesia in promoting the upcoming fight. Mr. Puni goes on to say, “Staging international title fights in Samoa is very good for tourism and local businesses and also allows for our people to see the action LIVE and up close.” WBO Oriental Cruiserweight title contender and current IBF Australasian Cruiserweight champion Mr. Lawrence Tauasa arrived in Samoa on Sunday with his manager Mr. Lincoln Hudson to prepare for the upcoming fight. For more information contact Mr. Tuilagi Maiava Saipele Esera on (+685) 751-9458 or email: saipele@eventpolynesia.com. PHOTOS: [1] Mr. Lawrence Tauasa with his manager Mr. Lincoln Hudson and team after winning the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Australasian Cruiserweight title in Australia last year. [2] Event Polynesia staff members, Tuilagi Saipele Esera, Suia Talosaga with Lawrence Tauasa, Lincoln Hudson, Ale Vena & Walter Pupua. [3] The boxers with Event Polynesia staff member Salamina Faaifo.

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