Boxer La Paene aims for national title<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Only two months after turning professional,
\nboxer La Paene Masara has set an ambitious target to be the
\nnational champion by the end of this year.<\/p>\n
\"I want to be the national champion. Hopefully, in my sixth
\nbout, I'll challenge current 49-kilogram champion Vecky Tahumil,\"
\nhe told reporters on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
La Paene left amateur boxing in February to earn more money.
\nHe joined Extra Joss boxing camp in Cilandak, South Jakarta, and
\nhas competed in the six-round, non-title bout in the Sabuk Emas
\nprogram broadcast live by private-owned RCTI.<\/p>\n
His third performance, which will be held in eight rounds, is
\nset for May 15.<\/p>\n
La Paene, who has no rank, must fight in 12-round bouts to
\nobtain national ranking.<\/p>\n
He also sets a higher target of winning an OPBF (Oriental
\nPacific Boxing Federation) title next year.<\/p>\n
\"An OPBF title is more prestigious than PABA (Pan Asia Boxing
\nAssociation) or IBF (International Boxing Federation) Continental
\nand it also offers more money. But there is tough competition
\nbetween Asian boxers to earn such a title. Insya Allah (God
\nwilling), I could fight for it next year. It depends on my
\nperformance this year.\"<\/p>\n
La Paene said he received good returns in the televised
\nprofessional bouts.<\/p>\n
\"I get 70 percent of the commission while the manager, trainer
\nand boxing camp get the rest of it. I also get Rp 1 million
\n(US$84.5) from Extra Joss boxing camp for one bout.<\/p>\n
\"Money is a sure thing in professional boxing. I asked some of
\nmy colleagues who attended the training program for the Southeast
\nAsian Games. They told me that they had not received their
\nallowances.<\/p>\n
\"Poor boxers! It's not a big problem for a young boxer, but
\nfor those who have a family, money is a big thing,\" said the
\nfather of two.<\/p>\n
La Paene won by points against ranked 13th Yanto Saga of
\nDemak, Central Java, in Tuesday's match. He pocketed Rp 3.5
\nmillion from the non-title bout.<\/p>\n
\"I might get a raise in my next bout.\"<\/p>\n
La Paene's coach Boy Kelung targeted his boxer to grab the
\nnational champion title in September.<\/p>\n
Boy also said that Vecky, formerly an amateur boxer, would not
\npose a big threat to La Paene, because the latter managed to
\nfloor Vecky in the national amateur boxing championships in
\nManado, North Sulawesi, in 1994.<\/p>\n
In contrast, Vecky has never competed in the Olympic Games
\nduring his amateur career while La Paene's highest achievement
\nwas reaching the 1996 Atlanta Olympics quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
\"La Paene outshines Vecky in technical skills and experience.
\nVecky might have a better opportunity because he had experience
\nin performing in 12-rounds,\" Boy said.<\/p>\n
Other potential contenders for La Paene are number one boxer
\nin the junior flyweight division Falazona Fidal and runner up
\nDamianus Jordan. Both are former amateur boxers.<\/p>\n
La Paene said that knocking out a former amateur boxer was
\nmore difficult than those without an amateur background.<\/p>\n
\"I would be more relaxed if I met a professional because he
\nwould only depend on his punch and power. But a former amateur
\nboxer has comprehensive technical skills thus he is more
\ndifficult to tame,\" he said. (ivy)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/boxer-la-paene-aims-for-national-title-1447893297",
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