APIA: 23 Feb 2010: Samoa boxing sensation Leti Leti has signed with TKO Boxing Promotions. The announcement was made on Monday by Leti’s Las Vegas based co-manager Cameron Dunkin.Event Polynesia Managing Director and Leti’s Samoa based co-manager, Teleiai Edwin Puni, says this is a great achievement for Samoa where professional boxing is struggling to get commercial backing to fund the much needed professional tournaments.
According to Teleiai, “Leti is currently spending time with his family in Samoa before moving to the United States where he will be based and exposed to a new audience and U.S. television. Leti is going to be a bright light on the international stage and TKO Promotions is the perfect promoter.”
Leti, 22, has an impressive amateur history starting as Samoa Bantam Weight champ from 2003 to 2004 then Samoa Featherweight champ in 2006. In 2007, Leti became the Samoa Light Welterweight champ and won Samoa a Gold medal in the 2007 Oceania Tournament.
Leti moved to New Zealand in 2007 and became the New Zealand Welterweight champion in 2008 and 2009 before he made his professional debut last month in Auckland, knocking out Aaron Bartlett in the first round of their January 31 bout.
“Leti is the goods and the hottest prospect to come out of the Samoa - New Zealand region since David Tua,” said Dunkin.
Teleiai also disclosed, “With a win each to Warren Fuiava (light heavyweight) and Vaitele Soi (cruiserweight) in Auckland last month in the New Zealand selection trials, both boxers have claimed the right to represent New Zealand in the upcoming Bloodisloe Cup and have set personal goals to join Leti in Las Vegas in the future.”
Warren Fuiava and Vaitele Soi’s success is a testimony of the pathway set up by Event Polynesia three years to the month in association with South Pacific Boxing Incorporated and the Samoa Amateur Boxing Association to deliver to the world stage more champions like Maselino Masoe, Jimmy Thunder and David Tua.
Teleiai added, “Look out for Afakasi Pele Faumui and Oli Filimaua in the next Samoa Pro Am Fights in Apia scheduled Tuesday 23rd March 2010.