There will be exciting ‘Amateur Boxing’ action this coming Oct. 27th, during the American Samoa Moso’oi Week, with the fights coordinated by the American Samoa Boxing Federation (ASBF). There will not only be local fighters from different clubs participating, but there will be four fighters from Samoa competing, according to ASBF President, Mapu Jamias.

“On Saturday October 27, we will be having exciting boxing amateur matches at Maliu Mai Beach Resort at 2:00 p.m. with young and upcoming male and female boxers, with Dr. Malouamaua offering his service to be the fight doctor,” said Jamias.

“There will be only four athletes coming from Samoa because finances are very difficult right now for everyone. That is why I want to thank David Vaeafe of the Office of Tourism who donated $1,000 to make this happen and I want to thank one of the local chief referees and judges, Fai Fiso for his generous donation as well.”

He explained that with the money raised, it will be used to help purchase equipment for the local boxing clubs, and it is equipment that is badly needed, Jamias noted.

According to the ASBF Secretary Tau Tanuvasa, the ASBF has a four-year plan in getting the territory's boxers ready for the next Olympic Games in 2016. “If we can qualify one or two boxers for the 2016 Olympic Games, we would have met our goal,” said Tanuvasa. “Right now there are no longer just the Oceania Games, they have been combined with Asia, to form the Oceania Asia Games; which means we now have to compete with Asian countries to qualify for the Olympics.”

“With the combination now, I believe this is good news for us. In the past, the powerhouse in the Pacific was usually Australia and New Zealand, but now with Asia in the picture competing with us, I believe Australia and New Zealand will help out the little countries,” he said.

The local boxing clubs that will be taking part in the American Samoa Moso’oi Week event:

Rainmaker Boxing Club- Aua

SMF Boxing Club- Faleniu

Olomoana Boxing Club- Aoa

Tuloulava Boxing Club- Nu’uuli

Lavalava Boxing Club- Iliili

Maliu Mai Boxing Club- Fogagogo

Masefau Boxing Club- Masefau