Amateur boxing during that time, according to Ramos, also swelled the professional ranks with outstanding boxers.
(From L-R) Hector Hatch (right), John Ramos with his book Maker of Champions.
The way forward for professional boxers is through amateur boxing.
This was revealed by veteran boxing trainer John Ramos in his book Maker of Champions to be officially launched on Saturday.
In his book, Ramos hailed the work of Hector Hatch, a former Olympian and Fiji amateur welterweight (67kg) boxing champion.
He regarded Hatch as his mentor.
In 1962, Ramos joined the Suva Youth Centre (now the Young Men Christian Association) where he trained under Hatch as they participated in the weekly amateur boxing competitions at the PWD Gym in Walu Bay, Suva, on Friday nights.
The Fiji Amateur Boxing Association (FABA) was established in 1953 and was affliliated to the Association Internationale de Boxe Amateue Boxing Association , it was commonly known as.
In 1956 Fiji amateur boxers came in the form of a competition in New Zealand and from there Fiji sent Hatch and Thomas Schuster to the Olympic Games.
According to Tamos, Hatch served in various administrative capacities for FABA from 1958 to his retirement in 1992. During Hatch’s time as administrator, some incredible amateur boxing talent emerged, notably bronze medallists at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia, such as Moses Evans in the middleweight division and heavyweight division Holgar Johansen. It was 20 years later Tongan Sani Fine would claim gold for Fiji in the light heavyweight division at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia.
Amateur boxing during that time, according to Ramos, also swelled the professional ranks with outstanding boxers.
“It was under Hatch’s dedicated administration and leadership that I was able to draw upn and build my pool of professional boxers,” Ramos stated in the book.
” I always remember him (Hatch) as the greatest amateur boxing trainer/manager and administrator whose wisdom and passion ensured that amateur boxing would remain ensconced in the national sporting consciousness.”
He further stated that: “Fiji needs another of the likes of Hatch to resuscitate amateur boxing an restore public confidence in sport.”
These amateur boxwes who made it big professionally, included that likes of Ravuama Roko, Basdeo, Alipate Korovou, Wili Tarika, Sakaraia Ve, Timoci Belo, Joe Nitiva and Vereniki Raiwalui.
Tomorrow: More on the book ‘Makers of Champions’
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