Manase Raikadroka for Tonga Featured
Manase Raikadroka
17 July, 2016. Fiji born boxer Manase Raikadroka is expected to be in the Tongan colours during the Pacific Tri-Nations Boxing Championship which started in Suva yesterday afternoon Saturday 16 July 2016.
Raikadroka's father is from Fiji and his mother is from Tonga will be up against Fiji's Nemani Rokobuli in the super heavyweight division.
Tonga official Siosai Leone Asi said if Raikadroka failed to turn up then they would have to go for Plan B.
"We are hoping for him to come over from the US and if he does not then we have to field a boxer from the heavyweight division," he said.
"Boxing in the Pacific is very down not like before.
"Mani Vaka was one of the top boxers in the region. He was very popular in the Pacific and every Fijian knew about him and his style.
"Now we have to work together as brothers to develop the sport."
Vaka, fought 35 professional fights and won 24 fights including 16 by knockouts from 1970-1980.
"There is nothing left in the sport now. Things have started slowly like the AIBA star one boxing course," he added.
"We must continue with the trend now."
The championship started at 4.30pm yesterday at FMF Gymnasium in Suva.
-Fiji Times
