Local star raring, ready

By Vatapuia Maiava 12 March 2016, 12:00AM

Samoa’s light heavyweight boxing champion, Togasilimai Letoa is hard at work in preparations for his fight against Sam ‘The Terror’ Rapira.

The two will square off in a feature bout on April 2nd during the Taranaki Explosion Boxing Fight Night at New Plymouth’s TSB Stadium New Zealand.

Rapira who is currently ranked 155 in the world will break into the top 100 if he wins the bout and told Stuff New Zealand reporter Glenn McClean that Letoa will be his most experienced opponent to date.

Winning this bout will also open doors for Rapira to land tougher bouts to help climb the ranking boards faster.

Both opponents have impressive records with Letoa at 34 professional fights and a record standing at 16-17-1; while Rapira’s record stands at 13-2.

Samoa Observer caught up with the 33-year-old boxer from Lalomauga during one of his intense training sessions with trainer Fa’aloto Sam Valaau Yue.  “I am ready for the fight. I’ve been training very hard for this fight and I’m great shape, thanks to my trainer Sam” Mr. Letoa said.

“I haven’t seen any of Rapira’s bouts so I don’t know how good he is but he has a pretty good record standing at 13-2.”

Letoa said he is looking forward to the event.

“Sam has been taking me through some great pad work and we’ve been improving my technique and movements. I’m ready for a fight,” Letoa said.

“I have morning and evening training sessions where I start at 6am – 11am and in the evening the times differ. My trainer Sam does a great job with my trainings.”

Letoa feels confident in his boxing abilities and shows no signs of nervousness

“I’m not nervous about this fight but I might get chills when I stand in the ring which is natural for all boxers but I believe that I can win.

“I have fought many times in Australia for titles; like in 2012 I became the number 9 in the world for my division.

“It says in the bible that ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength’.”

 The boxer began fighting at the end of 2003 but turned professional in 2007 till this day.

According to Letoa, the only issue he has is that his partner and daughter, who reside in Australia, won’t be able to make it to New Zealand to watch the fight even though they really want to.

By Vatapuia Maiava 12 March 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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