To represent one's country in an international event big or small is an experience that can be overwhelming to most. But the boys have now become men in the sport they love, representing the country they have fought and bled for.

Tupuola Seua’i Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali and Faustino Marion Ah Tong have come through pain and struggles to bring home their debut professional boxing bouts.

They will be fighting their debut professional fights on home soil in the upcoming Next Generation Judgment Day 2022 Tournament coming Saturday 26 November 2022.

"Having my first professional fight in Samoa, really is a dream come true. No better place for a Samoan boxer to have his or her debut on home soil, in front of our own people," says Ato. 

Marion added: "I am very excited to be able to debut my Professional fight where my boxing life started. It has always been a dream and for it to be happening real soon is surreal."

Ato and Marion will be going up against professional fighters from Fiji. Apisa Naciqa take on Ato in the Cruiserweight Division and Marion will face Raturakuro Domocokai in the Middleweight Division.

Ato and Marion have represented Samoa from their teens and they are now in their early 20s. They have gone through multiple international tournaments in the far ends of the globe, from Jordan to China and lately Birmingham, representing Samoa in the Commonwealth Games two months. The Covid-19 pandemic did not stop them as they also attended the 2021 Tokyo Olympics representing Samoa.

Through these tournaments they have achieved medals and a lot of experience. Ato has been a silver medalist twice at the Commonwealth Games level in 2018 and 2022. He won gold in the Pacific Games in 2019. Marion has won silver in the 2018 Oceania Youth Championship, gold in the 2019 Pacific Games and gold again in the 2020 New Zealand Amateur Championships.

"My inspirations are my father, Marvin Hagler and David Tua," said Ato. 

The young fighters share a common inspiration from our very Faunuina To’aletai Mafaufau David Tua. 

"He is all I use to watch when I was younger," said Marion.

The Next Generation Judgment Day 2022 is a Pro-Am Boxing Tournament that will not only feature Samoa's professional debutants, it will also bring in international amateur teams from South Australia and New Zealand.

Tavu’i Mike Lemisio, Tournament Director of the upcoming event, says they got their eyes on international fighters.

"This is a continuation of the Marist International Boxing events over the years. We bring in fighters from overseas so that our local boxers can have that experience. It not only benefits the boxers, nevertheless our boxing coaches and officials."

This all started back in 2015 when the initiation of the Fight for Marist was established by the Marist St. Joseph Sports Club and Marist Brothers Old Pupils Association to revive the Samoa boxing scene.

"We wanted to create a pathway for our boxers. We started in the amateur side and now we are moving in to the professional scene," said Tavu’i. 

"We want to make sure that if any of our youth chooses boxing as a career, there will be a clear pathway for them to follow through these tournaments."

Protégés from these tournaments include not only Samoa's current Olympians Ato and Marion, but also up-and-coming boxers Jancen Papali’i and youngster Darius Poulava, to name a few.

The Next Generation Judgment Day 2022 is also a preparation tournament for local and overseas teams attending for the Oceania Youth Boxing Championship which will be held in Samoa February-March next year. 

"We continue to thank God for the focus and strength he has given us to be able to continue supporting our youth through these international tournaments," added Tavu’i.

"We also would like to thank all the individuals, businesses and organizations who have supported us financially over the years. You have helped us get to where we are now and we continue to appreciate your support in the upcoming event." 

The Next Generation Judgment Day 2022 is sanctioned by the Samoa Boxing Federation and the South Pacific Boxing Professional Incorporated as confirmed by President Ale Vena Ale.

• Gerwin Polu currently assists Marist Brothers Old Pupils Association, Marist St. Joseph Sports Club and Marist Boxing mostly to help develop and create pathways for Marist Schools, students, boxers or anyone that needs help and also has a passion for writing.