Joshua-Kaleb Tonga from New Zealand has big plans for the IBA Youth World Boxing Championships with two victories in the preliminaries. In his first fight, Tonga outpointed a rival from Albania, the second one against St Lucia’s boxer he finished with referee’s stoppage in the second round. His next challenge is Hungarian Sandor Varadi in the Round of 16.

‘I am doing great for my little country, New Zealand, so I’ll keep the hard work on. I felt good in the ring, happy with my second-round stoppage. I am moving on to the next one, one by one. I want to try to get on the podium, to get a medal – at least. So far, I am doing well,’ Tonga said.

He started boxing when he was about six years old.

‘I came to a boxing gym just for discipline side of things, then I started fighting, and here we are,’ he smiled. ‘Can be compared to an avalanche. I’ve been boxing over ten years; it’s been for ages. It’s my last year in youth, and I feel ready to go to elite. If I am doing well on international stage, back in my country I’ll be doing well,’ Tonga added.

Aotearoa New Zealand International Boxing Association (ANZIBA) is IBA’s new National Federation for New Zealand, which has joined the IBA Family nearly a half year ago.

‘ANZIBA gave me a chance to participate in the IBA Youth World Boxing Championships, so far, I am the only fighter in my National Federation. Hopefully, more people will join later on. I live down south on a small island. It’s hard to get sparring down there, I can’t get fights in New Zealand anymore. I struggle even to get fights in Australia, because I changed the federation. Now I travel a lot just to get sparring. That said, I definitely do not regret that decision, because I am here right now. It’s a great chance that IBA is giving to its boxers, it is a huge opportunity, and I am grateful to be here,’ Tonga concluded.

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