Uaine Fa Junior is a New Zealand professional boxer. He has held the WBO Oriental interim heavyweight title since 2018. As an amateur he represented Tonga at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze medal in the super-heavyweight division; he also represented Tonga at the Oceania Championships, winning gold and multiple silver medals. His knockout-to-win percentage stands at 53%.
Amateur career
For much of his amateur career, Fa began under the guidance of coach and trainer Lolo Heimuli. Heimuli brought Fa to his Balmoral Lee Gar Gym in 2006 after discovering his coach failed to show at his first amateur fight. Being born and raised in Papakura, New Zealand, Fa decided to represent Tonga as an amateur. He was the flag bearer for Tonga on two occasions at the Commonwealth Games.
Fa was drafted for two seasons of the World Series of Boxing. His first season was with the Indian Mumbai Fighters Franchise as a midseason sign up for the 2011–12 season. He had a successful season and was ranked in the top 8 heavyweights for the series. His second season was during 2012–13 where he was drafted by the British Lionhearts where he fought the likes of Oleksandr Usyk and former multiple Olympic silver medalist, Clemente Russo.
Parker rivalry
Fa and Joseph Parker fought four times during their amateur careers, with two victories and two defeats each. Their first encounter was at the 2009 Boxing New Zealand National Championships held in Rotorua. The pair competed in the super-heavyweight final, Fa defeating Parker 8–4. Fa was also awarded the Bill O’Connor Cup for the youngest senior titleholder. A month later Parker forced a second-round standing eight count and a points win over Fa in a Samoan Tsunami Boxing appeal event at the North Shore Events Centre, organized by David Tua.
Professional career
Early beginnings: Fa turned pro in February 2016, where he featured at The Night of the Freaks from ASB Stadium, Auckland. After taking three years out of the sport to have a family, Fa decides to return to the sport. Assembling an impressive team, Lolo Heimuli as coach, former New Zealand Olympic sprinter Mark Keddell as a manager, Shane Cameron as a mentor along with input from strength and conditioning guru Angus Ross.
Closing in on Fa’s debut year as a professional, he featured once again on one of New Zealand’s most promising boxing events, The Big Bash. Hosted by Auckland Netball Centre in Auckland and broadcast on TV3. Originally scheduled to fight Daniel Tai for the vacant NZPBA heavyweight title, but due to Tai’s hand injury, the title bout was called off. Instead, Fa fought in a four-rounder against Moe Hussain. A former kickboxer, with a record of ten wins and six losses, took the fight on short notice. Fa destroyed his opponent, the quickest fight of the night, ending in thirty seconds within the first round by technical knockout.
Late January 2017, it was announced Fa had agreed to terms signing a three-year deal, which included clauses for a possible fourth under the tutelage of Lou DiBella. DiBella, a former boss of HBO’s Boxing set up and looking after seventy fighters, including WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, where Fa would be joining him as DiBella’s only other heavyweight fighter. The deal would see him fight at least three times in the United States per year, flying over fifteen days before every bout. His first challenge would be on the undercard of Wilder’s title defense against Gerald Washington on 25 February at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Taking on American journeyman Keith Barr over six rounds.
Career breakout
In March, Fa prepared for the vacant New Zealand Professional Boxing Association heavyweight title against Daniel Tai, at the ABA Stadium in Auckland. It would be his first title shot. Tai, an Auckland-based fighter, had been fighting professionally since the year 2000, whilst he boasted a record of 22 wins and 9 losses. With only one loss coming by knockout, in 2001, by legendary Australian champion Danny Green.
Fa won his twelfth pro-fight after defeating veteran Australian boxer Hunter Sam by unanimous decision. Sam, the former Australian champion, proved to be a difficult opponent and played tough throughout the fight. The bout was the main event of the Indian Motorcycle Fight Night organized by New Zealand boxing legend Shane Cameron. He then featured as one of six undefeated prospects making their SHOEBOX debut, being matched with Pittsburgh’s Fred Latham in an eight-round bout.
Final Word
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