What kind of build up did you do for the Olympics?
(Lollo) We spent a week camping at the USA, another week in Vienna, and then Austria acclimatising before we went to Athens.
Who did you use for sparring and where did you do your build up?
(Doug) We did most of our sparring using our guys from Balmoral Lee Gar. In Europe, we trained at the City Thong gym in Vienna, Austria. Willi (friend of Lollo), the co-promoter of Superleague let us use his gym and found us a good sparring partner.
Tell us about your travel to the Olympics and who made up your team and was there any other Olympic athletes on your flight?
(Doug) The whole Tongan team made up of 5 Athletes. The athletes were from judo, archery, 100m sprint, Women shot put and boxing, which was myself.
When did you arrive in Athens and what were your first impressions?
(Doug) We arrived in Athens on the 8th August, and it was just awesome just to be riding the same bus as other athletes from other countries.
Were you met on arrival and by whom or did you have to make your own travel arrangements?
(Lollo) No, everything was well organised. They had volunteers who made us feel like real VIPs. They escorted us to the bus, which took us to the Olympic village.
What was the opening ceremony like, and what other athletes did you associate with?
(Doug) We met so many athletes from other countries. The opening ceremony was just amazing. I can't put it into words. You really had to be there to know what it's really like.
Tell us about your day before competition and what you did?
Where you trained and what were the training facilities like? What was your training regime?
(Doug) We tried not to change too much of what we've been used to in other competitions. Lollo reminded me to keep my water up because it was hot over there. The training facility was just awesome. They had new rings, bags, speedballs, uppercut bags and even scales to check our weight. They even supplied ice, buckets and water and health drinks. There was no stone left unturned. Another word, they left us no excuses. Ha!ha!ha!
Did you have much contact with the Olympic organising committee, or was it AIBA that advised and organised your movements?
(Lollo) Well, this was the only hiccup of the whole thing. We kept our fingers crossed right up to the days leading up to the fight. The protests from New Zealand and Australia of Doug's kickboxing background didn't help. Australia only withdrew their protest 48 hours prior to Doug's bout with the American. Can you believe it? Obviously they didn't do their homework that members of the Thai team from Thailand were former kickboxers. Because of that, we had to arrange our own build up. It would have been better to link with AIBA, but the Australians and New Zealand was questioning AIBA's decision of letting us compete. AIBA stood by us though.
What was the Olympic village like?
(Lollo) It was roughly 15-20 X the size of a Westfield shopping mall. They barbed wired the outside. Inside they had all the apartments, shops, 24 hour food cafes the size of a rugby field, internet cafes, laundry and dry cleaners, post office, camera shop, barber etc. They did their best to make things convenient for us. They have buses inside the village going round the building and food cafes every 2-5 minutes.
Could you outline what you did on your day of competition from when you awoke until you got in the ring especially your warm up, gloving etc.
(Doug) We had to do early compulsory weight check, than basically eat, rest and ready to hop into the bus. Like I said earlier, we tried not to change too much of what we were used to.
Tell us about your opponent? What you know about him and his background before the bout?
(Doug) His name is Jason Estrada. He is from USA. He started boxing since he was 5 years old. His father is his coach. He won the Junior Olympics when he was 15 years old. He won USA national titles 3 times as well as other internationals including beating the Cuban at the Pan Am Cup.
Tell us about the bout itself, what were your plans and what you actually employed and what you faced in the ring.
(Doug) I was a bit disappointed with some mistakes I made and things I didn't do, but hey! At this level, whoever made less mistakes usually wins. I make no excuses, but I know I can do better.
(Lollo) Most of our preparation was to counter stand up Olympic style boxing which Cubans and most European countries are trying to adopt. Most of them seem to stand on a wider stance while waving their leading hand to distract the distancing. They don't seem to commit with the jabs or using it as a lead set up, unlike most of the Western boxers. They have their weight roughly about 55-60% at the rear foot. Our plan was to do quick half jab or feint. The idea was to force them to shift their weight slightly more to the rear, then lead to the body with either jabs or cross, and if the chance is there then use it as a bridge for follow up combos. It worked really well against the last 2 Australian opponents of Doug's as I think they are trying to adopt similar style, but against the American, we didn't work as well. This was one style we didn't want to face, and we drew against him. He!he!he! He was countering with hooks and left uppercuts off the front foot. This discouraged Doug of going to the body, so it came down to experience and we came up short. Short by about 200+ fights to 3 He!he!he! I wasn't too disappointed. I was humble by the crowd booing the judges scoring after it was announced. They scored it 30 11, which I think it was a lot closer after viewing the video. It was just a shame that the New Zealand sport commentators didn't give us much credit. Obviously they didn't study Estrada's achievements compared to Doug's 3 boxing fight experience.
Give us your after thoughts on the bout.
(Lollo) Tank, we learned a lot. This experience had helped me to be a better coach. It also helped Doug to be a better fighter. If Doug went like that against the likes of Jason Estrada with only 3 fights, imagine what he can do with 20 more boxing fights under his belt.
What did you do or officially have to do post contest?
(Lollo) We were disappointed naturally, but we stopped over and answered a few questions to some local media. We washed up, then caught the bus back to the village. I think the winners had to go through more urine dope tests.
Did you get to see any other boxing or any other sports?
(Lollo) We saw some boxing fights, but we tried to cover other sports. Don't forget that during the last 3 months was nothing but boxing. We need to have a little break from boxing. He!he! We went to basketball, soccer and other sports, but we mainly stayed at the big stadium watching track and field.
When did you leave the Olympics and where did you travel to or did you come straight back to NZ?
(Lollo) Doug had to come back as his partner had a baby just before we left to our build up. I stayed behind for the closing ceremony and to me it was more amazing than the opening. The athletes were more relaxed because the event is over. The party was also great. He!he!
Have you been back to Tonga since the Olympics and what was the reception you received?
(Lollo) Doug and I have just been to a small reception for the athletes in Tonga. We have already set up programs and plans for the next big games which is the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, and build up for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
What are your boxing plans for the future?
(Doug) I would like to have more boxing fights to build up experience and hopefully get to fight at the next Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Could you outline your overall thoughts of the Olympic boxing Competition, Athens and any thoughts on competitors or coaches?
(Doug) Tank, as I said, I would like to have more fights for more experience, then hopefully fight and win a medal in the next big games.
(Lollo) We have some work to do obviously, but we are looking forward to it.
Thanks for the interview Lollo and Doug. Well done and keep up the good work our Athens Olympic buddies. Yep down right famous and an experience most of us can only imagine or learn about from you guys that earned and lived it.
