VALERIE CONQUERS DURBAN
It was a big challenge for me but my confidence saw me through, says the promising Mauritian boxer
There’s no doubt Mauritian promising boxer Fabrice Valerie (pictured) is proud of his remarkable performance in the inaugural Mandela African Boxing Cup in Durban, South Africa.
Against all odds, the 21-year-old Valerie won flyweight gold with a marvelous final victory over Angola’s Miguel Kembo.
He played a big role to enable Mauritius finish an astonishing third position with two gold and two bronze medals from light-middleweight Merven Clair and middleweight Marquis Amene while Commonwealth Games light-welterweight silver medallist Richarno Colin won the other gold.
“It was a big challenge for me but with my technical skills and advice from my coaches I was able to beat Miguel Kembo,” recalls Valerie on his memorable victory over the equally tough Angolan boxer.
“Kembo is an experienced boxer and has good technical skills, my confidence and devotion contributed to my victory.”
I ask Valerie what does the gold medal mean to him?
“It means a lot in my boxing career and has boosted my morale to perform better in the next big international tournament” says Valerie who started representing the national team in 2019, one year after getting involved with boxing at Club Les Salines in Port Louis.
“The gold medal means my will to win again and again with consistency and perseverance. It also shows the sacrifices that I’ve made in pursuit of success were not in vain. I have so far won four medals representing the national team.”
Valerie attributes his success in boxing to his first coach Christian Ramsamy who taught him the fundamentals of the combat sport.
“Coach Ramsamy helped me a lot to develop my boxing skills. And with lots of training from Ramsamy and advice I’ve been able to improve my ring skills.”
With the Durban gold under his belt, the road to success is now wide open for the determined young southpaw Valerie whose burning ambition is to win medals in the world championships and the Olympic Games.
✍🏼 AFBC Communications