Faiyaz Khan –
The New Zealand Boxing Federation (NZNBF) has given for the first time a Fijian promoter to organ
ise a Boxing contest in New Zealand.
Praneel Dass of Westwood Boxing Promotions will stage three professional and eight cooperate Boxing on Saturday March 19, 2016 at the Auckland Boxing Association Hall, located at 1, Ngahura Street (opposite Mahatma Gandhi Centre located at 145, New North Road, Eden Terrace.
Vital opportunity
Sabastian Singh, the Lightweight Champion from Fiji will take on New Zealand’s Number One lightweight.
Franko Fraser of Lautoka, one of the top welterweights of Fiji will also participate in the Auckland bouts.
Two others Fijians who are scheduled to take part in the programme are Tai Ratuere, a well-known Middleweight of New Zealand and Riaz Khan of Mt Roskill.
This would be an excellent opportunity for Fiji Boxing fans to see boxers from Fiji.
We hope that the March 19 event will be successful and encourage us to stage more programmes, giving Fijian fighters exposure to overseas fights.
More details will be published in the next issue of Indian Newslink.
I encourage all clubs and associations connected with boxing and promoting boxers to support such events.
Healthy Sport
Boxing should not be seen as a ‘fight between two individuals or groups’ but as a healthy sport that promotes physical wellbeing of people.
I have often heard that most members of the Indian community do not have much physical activity and hence are vulnerable to various types of ailment.
It is not enough to do hard work at home or office.
There is a need to exercise regularly and boxing is a sport that keeps the mind and body fit, provided it is played according to the rules and regulations of the game. In fact, every game that can be categorised as ‘contact sport’ follows ‘rules of prohibition,’ to protect people involved- be in the ring or in the field.
Positive results
According to Scotie Keithlow, a ‘Platinum Level Expert and Author,’ people who have tried boxing as a form of exercise find it to have very positive results, arms and legs usually gain a lot of strength and become more defined in shape.
“However, the benefits are not all physical. People also find that they gain a greater sense of inner strength and feel more emotionally balanced. Boxing as a form of training and exercise became part of the large fitness-training arena a few years ago. Great benefits can be found from boxing workouts on muscle toning and the cardiovascular system,” he said.
Mr Keithlow said that many innovative variations on boxing such as power punches, defence and punch and kick exercises have all the components of aerobic exercise.
“As you progress you will find your strength will build along with your confidence as you are taught how to execute punch and kick moves more effectively for a far more intense workout,” he said.
Faiyaz Khan is a referee, judge and Board Member of the New Zealand Boxing Federation. He also trains referees and judges in Pacific Island countries.
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Photo Caption:
Praneel Dass
