BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
EXCITEMENT and anticipation are rising fast as the amateur boxers from the Solomon Islands get ready to compete in the XVII Pacific Games 2023, which will take place at the SIFF Academy in Honiara from November 30 to December 2.
Young boxer Ozward Talaka of the Solomon Islands, who will compete in his first amateur match at the Pacific Games 2023, told Raw Sports he is more than ready to take on the top boxers in the Pacific’s Oceania region.
The 22-year-old from Noro, a Western province in the country, said he will maintain his focus until his time to take the fighting ring.
”My focus now is to stay positive until the time for my scheduled fights. I am well prepared, and I am ready. I will be competing in the middleweight 71 to 75 kg event at the 2023 Pacific Games.
“We have all prepared. Every country. Every athlete. For me, I do respect who I am going to compete against in the ring; however, I will not fear my opponents. Because this is a competition and both of us will try as much as possible to achieve his aim, yes, I take my turn when it comes,’’ the determined boxer said.
Undoubtedly, home boxing fans are expecting nothing but greatness from the country’s amateur boxers in the coming days.
“What I would lastly like to share is for our brothers and sisters from our country, the Solomon Islands, to come and support us. So that is my call,’’ Ozward said in the appeal.
Ozward Talaka began his boxing career in 2020. He started training with the Noro Boxing Club boys in 2019 and made his first appearance at the Western Province’s second appointed day in Noro. Talaka attended club competitions and won gold in one boxing competition held in Taro, Choiseul province, in 2020, leading him to focus more on the sport and prepare for this year’s 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara.
