Maselino Masoe

Maselino Francis Masoe Fao (born June 6, 1966, in Apia, Western Samoa) is a retired Samoan boxer who represented American Samoa at three Olympics starting with the 1988 Summer Olympics. As a professional, Masoe made history becoming the first Samoan boxer to win a major world title, defeating Kenyan born Evans Ashira on May 1, 2004, for the regular WBA world middleweight crown via second round Technical Knockout. He is the brother of rugby player Chris Masoe. Another brother, Mika, also represented American Samoa in boxing at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics.

Amateur highlights Represented American Samoa as a Welterweight at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games at Seoul. His results were: Round of 64: Defeated Pedro Fria (Dominican Republic) referee stopped contest in first round Round of 32: Defeated Fidele Mohinga (Central African Republic) referee stopped contest in second round Round of 16: Lost to Kenneth Gould (United States) by decision, 0–5

Competed as a Light Middleweight for American Samoa in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games at Barcelona. Results were: Defeated Hiroshi Nagashima (Japan) RSCI-3 (00:54) Defeated Furas Hashim (Iraq) RSCH-1 (00:44) Lost to György Mizsei (Hungary) on points, 3–17

Competed as a Light Middleweight for American Samoa in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games at Atlanta. Results were: Lost to Mohamed Marmouri (Tunisia) on points, 8–11

Flag bearer for American Samoa in the 1988 and 1996 opening ceremonies.

Pro career Masoe moved to New Zealand where he began his pro career in 1997 and captured the Vacant WBA Middleweight Title by upsetting undefeated Evans Ashira in 2004. He lost the title to Felix Sturm in 2006.

Professional titles won

Oceanic Boxing Association middleweight title (1998) 159 Ibs IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title (1998) 158 Ibs WBA - PABA middleweight title (2001) 160 Ibs WBA regular World middleweight crown (2004) 159 Ibs New Zealand National Boxing Federation super middleweight title (2008) 167 Ibs WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight title (2008) 166 Ibs

Professional boxing record

Awards and recognitions 2019 Gladrap Boxing Hall of fame