Thousands of people have taken to social media to show their respect and grief over the death of US-based Tongan Sione Feimoefiafi.
And his children have spoken to US television about their father and how he inspired them.
Feimoefiafi, 49, of ‘Uiha, who became a resident of Oregon, died at Vaiola hospital on Monday night following an afternoon brawl at the Tali’eva bar in Nuku’alofa.
Five men have been arrested and are in Police custody facing various charges in relation to Feimoefiafi’s death.
Feimoefiafi was at the bar to watch the super bowl league tournament.
A source claimed the fight broke out after Feimoefiafi bantered with the men after the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams.
A post on Facebook appears to come from a person who claimed he confronted Feimoefiafi before the incident occurred.
He alleged that he wrestled Feimoefiafi to the floor before the other men kicked and punched them both.
The person who made the post appeared to want to apologise to Feimoefiafi’s family.
A spokesperson from TASANOC has confirmed that Feimoefiafi was a former Tongan national boxer who represented the kinghdom in regional boxing tournaments.
Musical talent
A video clip shared on Facebook showed Feimoefiafi playing a guitar while performing a solo song to entertain kava goers and friends during a kava session.
Kava commenters said Feimoefiafi was amiable, friendly and big-hearted.
They said his musical talent made him unforgettable.
Paul Quinn Ta’ai told Kaniva news he met Feimoefiafi in Portland when he traveled there three years ago.
Ta’ai, a kava goer and an acoustic band player, said he knew Feimoefiafi when he grew up in Matahau while he was training there as a boxer.
He said he met Feimoefiafi at a kava party in US and Feimoefiafi invited him for lunch. They played music together during kava parties.
“I feel really sorry for his loss. He was a kind-hearted man,” Ta’ai said.
It is understood Ta’ai was one of many Tongans Feimoefiafi befriended and invited for a meal when they arrived in the US.
Boxing talent
Former boxer Maukakalaipakulaa Samiu Anitoni said Feimoefiafi was his very close friend and they excercised and trained together while they were boxing.
He said Feimoefiafi represented Tonga during the south Pacific Mini Games in the kingdom in 1989.
Anitoni said Feimoefiafi also represented Tonga in the Oceania boxing games.
He said he remembered Feimoefiafi as a man of good character.
Children speak
Feimoefiafi’s son told Fox News in Oregon his father had been his main source of motivation and definition.
“Now that he’s gone, he’s even more of my motivation. I’m doing it for him, he really brought me joy,” 17-year-old Takanga Feimoefiafi said.
Last night members of his family in Oregon attended a basketball match where his 16 year old daughter Tala was playing.
“It was hard playing in the game, every struggle I went though, it went back to my dad,” Tala said.
“Every game I played in, he always came, so I was looking in the stands every time I scored a point or anything,” Tala said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses and support Feimoefiafi’s family.
The main points
- Thousands of people have taken to social media to show their respect and grief over the death of US-based Tongan Sione Feimoefiafi.
- Feimoefiafi, 49, of ‘Uiha, who became a resident of Oregon died, at Vaiola hospital on Monday night following an afternoon brawl at the Tali’eva bar in Nuku’alofa.
- Five men have been arrested and are in Police custody facing various charges in relation to Feimoefiafi’s death.
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