Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — President of the American Samoa Boxing Federation (ASBF), Paepaetele Mapu Jamias (center) with Jolando Taala (left ) who won a silver medal for American Samoa in the light heavyweight class (81 kg) at the XVI Pacific Games hosted by Samoa.

Boxing matches were held at Don Bosco College, Salelologa, Savaii. Taala lost to Ato Leau Plodzicki Faoagali (right), who lives in Australia but fights for Samoa. He was a silver medalist in the last Commonwealth Games and is touted as the best boxer of the Games. “Our boy did very well,” Paepaetele said of Taala. “American Samoa can be very proud of Jolando’s performance. He lost to the best in all of Oceania and he competed hard and smart.”

In other boxing news, Rileyanzac Tuala, American Samoa’s super heavyweight (over 91 kgs), returned home with a bronze medal. However, the territory’s most experienced boxer, George Tania Jr., did not medal. He lost his first fight on two warning points for low head. Malo lava Team American Samoa!

[photo: courtesy]