Jai Opetaia gives back through boxing clinic

By Soli Wilson 29 January 2019, 12:00AM

Samoan-Australian champion boxer, Jai Opetaia, gave back to the community by giving a boxing lesson yesterday for the kids at Inga’s Gym, Sinamoga.

“Today is about the kids,” he said. “We’re just coming here to have training with the kids and have a laugh and enjoy so it’s actually exciting for them to see what we got for them in the bag.”

Jai said the clinic encourages the kids to stay focused.

 “It’s just fun, it’s good to see the kids get a kick out of it and hopefully guide them to a good direction, because it’s very easy to get off track.”

Boxing clinic participant Sio Siuvesi of Falelauniu was excited to learn new skills and said he hopes to achieve as much as Jai has in the future.

“I want to learn great things from this guy, with his international fighting skills and trainings, whether it be easy or hard; I want to be like him,” he said with a smiling. 

A grandfather who brought his children to the clinic – Leituala Tapusoa Fifita, who is also the vice president for Samoa Boxing Federation, thought this was such a great opportunity for the children to learn from the champion.

“My older children have already done the game and moved away, this time I am here to bring my little boys here to be a part of this great program.

“They need to have the right skills if they want to get anywhere with the sport and they need to be in the right mind and determination, it’s not an easy talent,” said the 67 year old.

Jai Opetaia is in Samoa for a training camp before his 22nd of March fight in Belgium and wishes to extend his appreciation to Samoa for the love and support they have given him on his boxing journey.

“This is my second time in Samoa and after my fight in March were going to come back early for another training camp and then we got another fight night in June; so we should be going back a lot more, where thing will progress [into] bigger and better boxing camps,” he said.

By Soli Wilson 29 January 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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