FIJI'S former golden boy Sakaraia Ve wants Boxing Commission of Fiji to use former boxers to help in the revival of the fast fading sport in the country.
The ex-boxing champion said there were some top drawcards in remote areas, which needed to be recognised and brought up to the national level.
Ve, who boasts a brilliant record of 62 wins (KO 36), 18 losses (KO 10) and seven draws from 1975 to 2000, said he was committed to help in the development of sport.
"The problem with boxing in Fiji is we don't have a major drawcard apart from Joy Ali. Joy Ali is flat now and we don't have anyone there who can replace him," Ve said.
"There are so many talented and upcoming boxers in the islands and other remote areas who need the exposure to further their boxing career.
"Boxing Commission of Fiji needs to help us former boxers to go out there and identify these potential drawcards."
Ve, who runs a boxing stable in Ovalau named Lovoni Stable, has been training some amateur boxers in the area.
He said he had little equipment to work with and needed more to cater for the number of boxers that have been training at his stable.
One of the boxers Ve trains is Apolosi Vakadudunia, who he believes has the talent to become the next major drawcard in local boxing circle.
The six feet four inches (6ft 4inch) Vakadudunia has fought seven amateur fights since 2009. "I came to Suva to ask help from the commission and look for a worthy opponent for him. He has been training for the past four months and needs couple more months of training to be in top shape," Ve said.
Ve also believes lack of regular amateur competition was another factor leading to the slow dead of boxing.
"During our time, we used to have regular amateur competitions but now we hardly have one," Ve said.
"The amateur competition should be held on regular basis so we can identify good drawcards. The failure of boxing programs now is the lack of drawcards we have."
Newly appointed BCF chairman John Rabuku could not be reached for comments after numerous calls made to his mobile phone were diverted.