Naciqa: I’m ready
Apisai Naciqa who is dubbed the Russian Mafia wants a favourable outcome in his second shot at the Fiji light heavyweight title at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, tonight.
“This time it will be a different story,” Naciqa told SUNsports after weighing in at 79 kilogrammes.
He faces the unbeaten Paulo Ratumaikoro of Suva as they fight for the vacant Fiji light heavyweight. The title was vacated by Savenaca Naliva after he could not make the weight limit.
Ratumaikoro tipped the scale at 79.6kg during the official weigh-in at the Nair’s Dais in Nadi yesterday.
Naciqa is ranked 595 out of 1253 light heavyweight boxers in the world.
The 26-year-old’s first title shot was on December 12, 2020, where he lost on a third round knockout to Naliva at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
“This is my second title fight, and it is for the same title,” he said of tonight’s 10-round fight which is the main supporting bout under the South Pacific Boxing Promotions.
“He (Ratumaikoro) will surely try his best to take that title away from me. I invite the fans to come out and witness this fight. It will be an explosive fight.”
Naciqa has fought 12 professional fights where he has won five, six losses and a draw since turning pro in October 2018.
Ratumaikoro since his pro debut last year has remained undefeated after four fights. He won three and recorded a draw.
He is ranked 451 out of 1253 in the world.
“There has been good vibes for me and my opponent. I want to go as far as the fifth round,” he added.
The programme gets underway at 5pm.