Fonomanu 'Young Sekona'

[Senor Pepe']

Fonomanu 'Young Sekona'

A highly regarded Heavyweight out of Tonga in the early 1970's.

5' 11 1/2" - 198 lbs.

Built like a 'bowling ball', who could have been a 'blocking back' in college football.

Turned professional in 1969, at age 17 1/2.

Went undefeated in '32' bouts, going 32-0-0 (19 KO's), thru November 1975.
(Though several of the bouts were unrecorded or logged)

Fighting mainly in Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand.

Included, were wins over,
Tony Pulu
Sunia Cama
Mani Vaka (4x)
Charlie Dunn
Tommy Mears
George Jerome
Harmet Sasse

In November 1975 (age 23 1/2) was rated the #18 WBC Heavyweight, despite not facing or defeating
any Top 30 Heavyweights.

He was, to say the least, a 'well-protected South Pacific Heavyweight'.

The South Pacific Boxing Association was now pushing 'Young Sekona' for a key
Heavyweight bout, and was looking for a 'faded former contender' as an opponent.

A proposed bout with retired - but now comebacking, 37 1/2 year-old former Light-Heavyweight Champion
Bob Foster for (December 1975) was scheduled, but,,,,,,,,

Bob Foster pulled out of the bout, claiming an injured shoulder in training.

Enter, Jamaican Heavyweight living in the United Kingdom, 28 1/2 year-old, Bunny Johnson 43-7-0 (23 KO's).
Johnson, the former British Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion, seemed to be a somewhat 'safe opponent'.

Bunny was on the 'smallish side' for a Heavyweight (185 lbs.), and appeared to be a good opponent for the 'young and strong'
Tongan Heavyweight. Bunny, had a run of '21-straight' wins (12 by Knock-out), from October 1971 thru September 1975,
before losing the British Commonwealth crown to Richard Dunn (2-months earlier), via 15-Round Decision.

This looked like it would be a competitive Heavyweight bout, scheduled for Monday Night, at the Carlaw Park Stadium in
Auckland, New Zealand, where 15,000- New Zealander boxing fans turned out.

After an 'Even' and competitive 1st Round, it looked like it would be a long battle.
But in Round 2, after several hard exchanges, the visiting Jamaican Heavyweight landed a counter left-hook flush
on the jaw of the undefeated Young Sekona, who crashed hard to the canvas, only to be counted out by
Referee Bevan Weir at 1:02 of the 2nd Round.

Fonomanu 'Young Sekona' at age 18.

[Flea Man]

As always, great stuff.

[Senor Pepe']

Thanks Flea Man,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

After the 'shocking upset' to Bunny Johnson in December 1975,,,,

The South Pacific Boxing Association sent Young Sekona to Hawaii,
for some 'boxing improvement' in early-1976.

There, the 24 year-old, 5' 11 1/2" 202 lb. Tonga Heavyweight had 'three fights' in 1976,
as the 'Main Event' Heavyweight at the Blaisdell Center, in Honolulu.

'3-Wins, including a 'devastating' Knock-Out (KO 1) over 'bruiser' Heavyweight,
the 6' 4" - 220 lb., 27 year-old Larry Frazier 9-2-0 (9 KO's) on September 30, 1976.

Larry Frazier, the same Heavyweight, who had Knocked-out future WBA Heavyweight Champion,
Mike Weaver in December 1973

The victories improved 'muscular' Fonomanu 'Young Sekona' to 35-1-0 (20 KO's), and got him back
to the #15 WBC Heavyweight.

[Senor Pepe']

Thursday Night - November 4, 1976

'Battle of the Super Muscle Heavyweights'

Circle Star Theatre, San Carlos, California

Fonomanu 'Young Sekona 35-1-0 (20 KO's) - Tonga
vs.
'Hercules' Mike Weaver 9-6-0 (5 KO's) - California

'The Sacramento Bee'

The 24 year-old, Tonga Heavyweight, at 5 11 1/2" and 198 lbs. - is a hard-puncher.
A straight forward charging 'slugger' who wings wide punches. Currently rated as the
#15 WBC Heavyweight, Young Sekona has a CBS-TV 'television fight' scheduled with
another California Heavyweight, undefeated Stan Ward, set for January 1977, if he can get by
the 'equally muscled Heavyweight', Southern California's Mike Weaver.

The 25 year-old 'Hercules' Mike Weaver, at 6' 1" and 205 lbs. Will have a slight
height advantage, and 3" reach advantage over his shorter opponent. Weaver, a
hard-puncher too, has improved on his general boxing skills, which includes a
hard jab now. Defensively, Mike Weaver has a 'weakness', as he can be hit with long
range punches, and his ability to absorb punches has been in question, as he has been
floored several times, as well as being stopped in '4' of his '6' losses.

Should be an interesting bout, as both boys are not afraid to 'hit and be hit'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In front of 3500 California boxing fans, 'two' young 'muscular Heavyweights battle
it out. The 'heavy favorite' from Tonga, Young Sekona is one win away from a
National Television bout versus a Top 20 Heavyweight.

On the other hand, Southern California resident, Mike Weaver, is considered just another
strong but limited Heavyweight, and should be another notch on the belt of the
powerful Tonga Heavyweight.

At the opening bell, Young Sekona takes the 'aggressive route', and charges after the
slow starting Mike Weaver. Sekona pounds away, and keeps his opponent on the
defensive, by scoring with hard left-right punches.

This pattern follows through Rounds 1, 2 and 3. But in Round 4, Mike Weaver starts to
land some good counter-shots, as he able to maintain some distance between himself
and the shorter-amred Sekona.

In Round 5, Young Sekona lands his 'best punch' of the fight, a right-hand over
Weaver's guard, and staggers him with a left-right. Weaver falls back into the ropes,
and is hurt. Young Sekona lets go with a wild assortment of punches, as he has
Weaver pinned along the ropes. Sekona lands several hard punches, but Weaver will
not fall. As the round ends, it is the 'muscular' Young Sekona who looks exhausted, and
Mike Weaver looks recovered.

In Round 6, Mike Weaver sensing that his Tonga opponent is spent, opens up with a
hard-punch attack, and stuns Young Sekona, who falls back into the ropes. Weaver
then unloads with a hard '10-punch' combination flush on the unprotected Young Sekona's
head, prompting the Referee to stop the bout, as the defenseless Young Sekona sags into the ropes.

A 'major upset' in San Carlos, California.

[Flea Man]

Looked a physical beast! I love Weaver so have enjoyed this insight.

[Bugger]

Originally Posted by Senor Pepe'

Thanks Flea Man,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

After the 'shocking upset' to Bunny Johnson in December 1975,,,,

The South Pacific Boxing Association sent Young Sekona to Hawaii,
for some 'boxing improvement' in early-1976.

There, the 24 year-old, 5' 11 1/2" 202 lb. Tonga Heavyweight had 'three fights' in 1976,
as the 'Main Event' Heavyweight at the Blaisdell Center, in Honolulu.

'3-Wins, including a 'devastating' Knock-Out (KO 1) over 'bruiser' Heavyweight,
the 6' 4" - 220 lb., 27 year-old Larry Frazier 9-2-0 (9 KO's) on September 30, 1976.

Larry Frazier, the same Heavyweight, who had Knocked-out future WBA Heavyweight Champion,
Mike Weaver in December 1973

The victories improved 'muscular' Fonomanu 'Young Sekona' to 35-1-0 (20 KO's), and got him back
to the #15 WBC Heavyweight.

Bloody hell what a unit!

[Bugger]

Great thread Senor Pepe. Rather surprised but there is a little footage (albiet quite blurry) of Sekona on youtube.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgesOUuTaXc[/ame]

[Flea Man]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There's footage?!?!!?!? HE IS A BEAST!

[Senor Pepe']

Lot of Muscle in that Circle Star Theatre Ring, back in December 1976.

Young Sekona and Hercules Weaver

Young Sekona,,,,,,,I would have hated to meet him in a Phone Booth.

Mike Weaver, ruined Young Sekona's career with that (KO 6) upset in December 1976.

They had 'Young Sekona' lined up for Stan Ward in January 1977,,,,who he would have beaten,
then,,,,,,,,,,,

Versus Champion Muhammad Ali in Honolulu, Hawaii for,,,,,,,,,, May 1977.

But 'Young Sekona' lost,,,,,,,,,and that's when Alfredo Evangilista's name was heard.

[mr. magoo]

Originally Posted by Senor Pepe'

Went undefeated in '32' bouts, going 32-0-0 (19 KO's), thru November 1975.
(Though several of the bouts were unrecorded or logged)

Boxrec lists him as being 18-0, before losing to Bunny Johnson. Of course, you did mention that " several" of his bouts were unrecorded, but the difference between 18-0 and 32-0, is a bit more than several. I have to question that claim to 32-0.

[Flea Man]

Pepe has all sorts of boxing records and almanacs and regularly pieces together records. He's a resourceful genius.

[Senor Pepe']

Originally Posted by Flea Man

Pepe has all sorts of boxing records and almanacs and regularly pieces together records. He's a resourceful genius.

Correct Flea Man,,,,,

Box/Rec does not have all of the Southern Pacific Boxing results, mainly in the late-60's and early-70's bouts.

Fonomanu 'Young Sekona' turned professional in September 1969, at age 17 1/2, by scoring
a Knock-out (KO 2) over Oscar Namhu.

Through 1972, he had posted a 16-0-0 (9 KO's) record. Included were wins, all in Nukualofa, Tonga.

Versus the likes of;
* Oscar Nomhua (3x)
* Viavao Mateale (3x)
* Pepa Mamea (2x)

Due to the lack of quality bouts in Tonga and neighboring Fiji, Fonomanu 'Young Sekona' moved to
New Zealand in January 1975.

Box/Rec does have all of the correct records from 1973 and on, the additional 16-0-0 (10 KO's).

[TBooze]

Originally Posted by Senor Pepe'

Correct Flea Man,,,,,

Box/Rec does not have all of the Southern Pacific Boxing results, mainly in the late-60's and early-70's bouts.

Fonomanu 'Young Sekona' turned professional in September 1969, at age 17 1/2, by scoring
a Knock-out (KO 2) over Oscar Namhu.

Through 1972, he had posted a 16-0-0 (9 KO's) record. Included were wins, all in Nukualofa, Tonga.

Versus the likes of;
* Oscar Nomhua (3x)
* Viavao Mateale (3x)
* Pepa Mamea (2x)

Due to the lack of quality bouts in Tonga and neighboring Fiji, Fonomanu 'Young Sekona' moved to
New Zealand in January 1975.

Box/Rec does have all of the correct records from 1973 and on, the additional 16-0-0 (10 KO's).

So why do not share that important information with boxrec? Although far from perfect, it is clearly going to be the starting point for future boxing historians. You also have scope to put your excellent reports and personal perceptions in.

[D9Garrard]

Who is he fighting in the clip? Doesn't look familliar.

[Senor Pepe']

D9,,,,,,,

I think it is Eddie 'Bossman' Jones (August 24, 1976 bout in Hawaii)