Fiji middleweight champion Opeti Tagi has broken his silence on why he had accepted to fight Ghanaian boxer, Joseph Kwadjo at Subrail Park, Labasa on Saturday.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, Tagi said he did not agree with statements made that there was no worthy boxer in the country to fight Kwadjo.

“That’s not right,” the soft spoken Serea, Naitasiri native from Naitasiri said.

“I want Kwadjo’s camp to know there are worthy boxers in the country that can fight him. I’m one of them and there are others also.”

In their last fights, Tagi beat World Boxing Foundation Asia Pacific light heavyweight champion Sakiusa Mekemeke on points while Kwadjo scored a second round knockout win over Joeli Naleca.

Tagi also refuted claims that he only accepted this fight so he could earn money for Christmas.

“That’s not true either. I’m going into the ring to do my country proud especially when I’m fighting in front of my tauvus in Vanua Levu.

“They are my close traditional relations and I’m proud to be there especially when boxing is now staged there after a lapse of 14 years.”

In his preparation, Tagi confirmed that they had hired the services of former national amateur boxing light heavyweight star Vitori Natawake.

“I’ve been fortunate to have sparring sessions with Vitori on a daily basis. Vitori as people know him is a hard hitter and has been pushing me hard during training.”

Tagi has called on the people of Vanua Levu to come out and support him in this most important fight.

Edited by Osea Bola

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