Mount Isa's Sunny Raitava is about to fight the fight of all fights 19 years in the making.
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At 43, the Fijian born Australian has proved that age is just number as he heads to Adelaide with coaches James and Kerry Derrick to compete in the XVII Australian Master Games on October 6-8.
The Masters comes hot off Derrick's Boxing Fight Night a fortnight ago, where Sunny was victorious.
The hit-out has served as good preparation heading into this weekend's big bout.
Coach Kerry Derrick said Sunny is looking to take the title.
"Sunny is no washed up fighter, trying to relive past glories," Ms Derrick said.
"He is stronger and fitter than I've ever seen him and his endurance, range and technical proficiency is a class act.
"His roster means that he only trains with the team twice a week, however he never misses a session, and every other night he trains at home and is big on the roadwork running something every successful boxer knows is key to endurance."
Sunny arrived in Australia in 2000 from Fiji, and had his first amateur fight the same year in Canberra.
He then took a 14 year hiatus and came back at 40 years old at Mount Isa's Battle of the Outback weighing in at 110kg in the super heavyweight division and winning.
Since then he shed almost 20kg, fighting at 91kg and has enjoyed 11 fights, ten wins in Boxing Queensland sanctioned tournaments across Queensland and in Northern Territory under Boxing Northern Territory.
Sunny said it was coaching that got him back into the ring.
"I got back into boxing three years ago after helping a younger fellow train for his fight, which I ended up cornering for him. After that occasion, I nominated in the next local tournament and haven't stopped since then," Sunny said.
When asked if there is anyone's boxing style he prefers Sunny said it was Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"Mayweather remains the best and I love his technique, especially the hit and don't get hit style which I try to copy," Sunny said.
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