Veteran boxer Savenaca Naliva kept to his words of going for a knockout win over Sebastian Singh in tonight’s fight for the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Asia Pacific cruiserweight title at Suva’s Vodafone Arena.

This is the main bout of the Bluewater Boxing Promotion, which will also feature four other title fights.

“I’ve prepared well for this fight and he (Singh) has also trained well, so the fans can expect a good fight,” Naliva said.

The 37-year-old who relinquished the Fiji light heavyweight title after he could not make the weight tipped the scale at 90.3 kilogrammes during the official weigh-in yesterday.

“I’ve been training with Ronald Naidu and my trainer is Samir Khan,” he said.

Naliva said their training consists of cardio and sparring techniques.

“My strength will be shown in the ring tomorrow and I will be going for a knockout.

“I’m requesting people from Ba and those who live in Suva to come out in numbers for the fight.”

Naliva said he is confident of winning the WBF Asia Pacific belt and use it as a stepping stone to further his career.

“I will try to counter Sebastian’s boxing technique in the ring. I will not reveal my strategy for the fight but it’ll be shown in the ring,” he said.

“To pursue the sport of boxing, one must give up smoking and alcohol because this sport requires hard work and dedication.”

When approached Singh said his team focused on explosive strength workout during his preparation.

“I’ve been training with Joseph Kwadjo and he’s been pushing me every day so we’re looking forward to the fight,” he said.

‘I don’t know how it’ll come but I have to win because I don’t have a choice.”

Singh said the fight against Naliva would determine the future of his boxing career.

“It’s come to a point where my family and kids are more important to this sport. I’m investing time, money and training in the sport,” he said.

“Looking at the way that boxing is run in Fiji, there is no future for us especially for a fighter like me.”

Singh said he is eager to prove to himself that he still possess the capability to perform on a high level.

“If I see that I’m not there anymore, I rather not get hurt as I got children to raise and parents to look after so I’m going to focus more on that,” he said.

“I’m focused and ready to go but one thing that I can guarantee this fight will be a cracker.”

He said Naliva is a tough fighter and people would get their money’s worth.

Singh said he would walk away from the sport if he cannot perform at the required level.

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