Team Samoa head trainer Richard Brown is mourning the death of fellow team mate, Junior Seau, Samoan former star linebacker who played 13 of his 20 NFL seasons with the San Diego Chargers. PRBC Chairman Edwin Puni said, “As soon as I heard the news about Seau, I called Richard in Samoa..”
Mr. Brown, who made the transition from former professional NFL player to being conditioning and fitness trainer for Manu Samoa then Toa Samoa, is currently head trainer for Team Samoa.
Mr. Puni said, “When I finally spoke with Mr. Brown, he was deeply affected and wished he could have done something to reach out to Seau. He told me that he spoke with Seau’s brother some time back and told him to tell Junior to come spend some time in Samoa.”
In their phone conversation Mr. Brown said, “As professional NFL players, you take a lot of hits on the field; then there’s post career depression that can hit you any time. Returning to Samoa with my family and staying active with sports development like boxing has been a blessing and good distraction for me.”
Richard Brown who played linebacker for 9 seasons took his versatility from the Los Angeles Rams to the San Diego charges in 1990 with Junior Seau as first round draft choice.
IONATANA PULA RETIRES TO THE POSITION OF TEAM SAMOA ASSISTANT TRAINER
Source: eventpolynesia.com (6th May 2012)
The appointment of Samoa amateur gold medalist and former Samoa professional champion Palaialii Ionatana Puna as assistant trainer brings a lot of ring knowledge and experience to the Team Samoa training camp who have set their sight on dominating the regional professional boxing showdown with Pacific power houses Fiji and Tahiti.
PRBC Samoa Promoter Tuilagi Saipele Esera said, “Being awarded the honours to host the inaugural Pacific Rim Boxing Championship in Apia on Thursday 31st May 2012 certainly gives Team Samoa a home advantage.”
According to Tuilagi, “After Pula’s fight last December we advised him to retire; he has been in the ring far too long. With the unfortunate death of Junior Seau last week, it brings home the message for sports organizations and administrators to look after the safety and welfare of athletes and sports people.”
The start of the Pacific Rim Boxing championship in Apia later this month also sees the graduation of boxers who have been competing at the local Samoa Pro Am Fights to represent Samoa in the regional tournament.
Team Samoa for the upcoming PRBC includes heavyweight Gogosina Ulutoa of Samatau and Salamumu, cruiserweight Saipeti Muga Asiata of Vaiusu and Safotu and Francis Mamoe of Vaiusu and Toamua. Also selected is Iosia Nanai of Falelatai and Savaia in Lefaga in the super middleweight division, and in the welterweight is Tony Iapesa of Alamagoto and Michael Fonoti of Satalo Falealili and Manunu.
The PRBC program of 6 professional bouts between Samoa and the visiting Team Fiji, Team Tahiti and Team American Samoa also includes 6 amateur cards which will include the Prime Ministers Cup to be defended by Samoa selection against American Samoa selection; also Island of Origin bouts between a Savaii selection and a Upolu selection.
Tuilagi said, “It’s the best pro am card under one roof for awhile in Samoa and we’re expecting a capacity crowd this year with the Samoa 50th Independence celebration; especially with Samoans from around the world making a pilgrimage home.”
Tickets including corporate tables will be on sale this week