Peninsula boxer turns professional

Peninsula boxer Satali Tevi-fuimaono will make his professional debut on October 8 at St Claire Leisure Centre in Sydney.

The young sports star is only 19 years old but has already accomplished a lot.

He is not only a two-time Junior World Champion but a six-time Australian Champion.

In fact, Satali was considered by some to be Australia's best chance of winning a boxing medal at the summer Olympic Games in Rio in August.

Young Satali was robbed of his opportunity to a fair trial to participate at Rio due to a sliced toe caused by a "dodgy" floor set up at the Nationals in late 2015.

He received a letter from Boxing Australia chief executive, Mr Paul Grogan, who said: "After careful consideration of each weight category in respect of reasons for entry of boxers, it is of the view there is no exceptional circumstances or reason that justifies the inclusion in the box-offs of any boxers other than the Australian Champion and the runner up of each Olympic weight category".

However, for Satali and his supporters, what circumstance could be more exceptional than a fighter who required six stitches in his sliced toe due to no fault of his own?

Satali was injured in an event run by Boxing Australia yet the organisation was not prepared to make an exception.

His dream to attend the Olympics was over but a new dream had begun.

While continuing to fit in work for his father as a bricklayer, Satali has not only been training nonstop but also training others, including the youth of the Peninsula.

Every Monday and Wednesday afternoon from 4 to 5pm, Satali gives his time to train and mentor young athletes at the Umina PCYC, hoping to teach them the basic skills of boxing and keep them off the streets.

Things seemed to finally be looking up for the young man as the PCYC's boxing manager, Mr Peter Kahn, had just signed Satali to a management agreement.

Then things began to turn south again.

Satali discovered he had a tear of the labrum and a shoulder impingement which prevented him from sparring and affected his training and preparation for the professional debut.

As the weeks went by, and with constant exercise and stretching of the shoulder, he was able to recover and continue with his training.

Satali's opponent for his professional debut is Pramool Boonpok.

Boonpok is not only an experienced kickboxer but he has had over 25 boxing bouts as a professional.

Tevi-fuimaono has been an amateur boxer for years so matches consist of only three rounds each lasting for three minutes but, as a professional fighter, a bout could go for up to 10 rounds.

So will Central Coast golden boy be able to handle the heat?

We will soon find out at St Clair Leisure Centre in Sydney on October 8 when Satali will once again step into the ring.

Submission, 6 Sep 2016

Reporter: Khymamoana Tevi-fuimaono

Photo: Jay Cronan