17 July 2025
After making his professional debut in boxing in 2023, Petty Officer Philip Samuelu has been training every day, on shore and at sea.
“Sometimes, when the ocean gets a bit feisty, the boxing bag will take a swing back at you with the force of the tides,” Petty Officer Samuelu said.
For the past three months, he’s been deployed in HMAS Sydney on a regional presence deployment.
While travelling with the ship, he was able to meet and spar with international boxers in Japan, Korea, the Philippines and Singapore.
“It’s been a dream come true, and seeing the various fighting styles has been incredibly immersive,” Petty Officer Samuelu said.
“The Japanese lads are accurate and fit, the Filipinos throw wild with lots of volume, the Singaporeans like to be in the clinch (meaning they like to close the distance with their opponent) and the Koreans? They’re energetic and go beast mode.
“Training with those fighters has been a blessing and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity. I’ll never forget it.”
When he’s not sparring, Petty Officer Samuelu deals with supply in the Maritime Logistics department. He’s been in Defence for 15 years, and has seen the impact a well-supplied ship can have.
'It’d be great to be able to visit more countries and spar with people, maybe even through Defence one day.'
“Logistics is all about the daily routine. In a way my job is similar to maintaining a big grey Bunnings on the ocean,” he said.
After a death in the family, Petty Officer Samuelu has had a tough start to the year but the ship’s crew have become his strongest supporters.
“The crew have been like family to me, and support from my divisional staff and workmates have helped me through the rough patches. I’m forever grateful,” he said.
Petty Officer Samuelu hopes to continue his sparring education and Defence journey.
“It’d be great to be able to visit more countries and spar with people, maybe even through Defence one day,” he said.
