“My times’ coming”
By Taromane Martin
IT’S only a matter a time of says 20 year old Henry Pua till he gets the call to represent Solomon Islands in boxing at a regional competition.
The 20 year old south paw fighter shocked boxing fans at the Multipurpose Hall on Saturday night after defeating last year’s Pacific Mini Games bronze medallist Alex Mika via judges split point’s decision during their HABA bantam weight fight.
Pua who fights for the Diesel Viti boxing club said it was an honour to pick up the win, he is excited and hopes after 11 wins things will start get rolling for him.
“It was an honour to pick up the win over Alex who was one of the bronze medallists for the country at the Pacific Mini-Games in Vanuatu last year,” he told SunSPORTS after his win on Saturday.
“Actually this is not our first meeting. We’ve fought previously and to be honest it was our fight today was just another fight.
“But I’m excited having come off with the win over him,” he said.
“This is my 14 bout since joining the HABA fortnightly bouts in 2016. This is my 11th win in the competition.
“I started boxing when I was 18 years old that was two years ago. After 11 wins I would say my career is looking good. I’m looking forward for more upcoming tournament.
“Elven wins should hopefully get my career in boxing going,” Pua who hopes to represent the country in the near future said.
The 20 year old meanwhile praised his coach Junior Bainivalu, a long time and experienced boxing coach, for his mentorship and believes Diesel Viti is the right club for him.
And under the watchful eyes of the experienced coach Bainivalu, Pua is confident he will soon get the call to represent the country in the near future.
“Diesel Viti is a long time club. We train under Junior Bainivalu who has trained some of the country’s top boxers in the past like junior Chan and Benedict Talovae.
“It’s a privilege for me to train with him, he’s a very experienced coach, and I would say Diesel Viti is the right club for me.
“Of course I’m ready and it’s not one day. It’s just next year. I have always dreamt of representing the country and I have a very strong feeling that I can do it and my time is coming,” the 20 years old said.
