Cheppy to struggle against the odds<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian contender Cheppy \"Macho\" Holman
\nfights Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation Junior Lightweight
\nChampion Choi Yong-soo of South Korea today.<\/p>\n
Choi is sporting a bruised eye and Cheppy smells blood.<\/p>\n
A sparring partner's blow blackened Choi's right eye during a
\nworkout on Thursday, providing Cheppy with a target to focus on
\nduring the title bout scheduled for 12 rounds at the Saparua
\nsports hall in Bandung, West Java.<\/p>\n
\"No problem. My boxer is an extremely stubborn one,\" South
\nKorean manager Kim Chun-suk shrugged off the black eye at a press
\nconference on Thursday. \"The slight injury will not stop my kid
\nfrom retaining his title,\" Kim added.<\/p>\n
With a longer reach, bigger build and younger age, Choi has
\nall the advantages over his Indonesian number one challenger in
\nhis sixth successive title defense attempt. The South Korean
\nleft hander also has a better win-loss record: 19-2 as against
\n16-3.<\/p>\n
\"I'll send him kissing the canvas before the eighth round,\"
\nChoi boasted. He last knocked out Filipino Nick Erano in the
\nsixth round in January this year, taking his KO wins tally to 12.<\/p>\n
Cheppy has finished his opponents within distance nine times,
\nand was cautiously optimistic about the coming bout, without
\nbeing as specific as Choi. \"I'm not willing to give an exact
\nfigure. I have the chance to stop him in every round,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Cheppy has opted to prepare himself for the title match under
\nstrict military discipline at the education and training command
\nin Bandung.<\/p>\n
\"His power and speed have improved greatly. He only needs to
\nstay calm and conserve his energy,\" coach Khairus Sahel said.
\nCheppy underwent the rigorous training program under the tutelage
\nof Khairus and Asep Suganda.<\/p>\n
Title holder Choi will pocket US$70,000 for the bout, while
\nCheppy will earn Rp 10 million ($4,500). A win looks likely to
\ngive Cheppy the chance to fight at the world level, considering
\nthat Choi is ranked number two by the World Boxing Council.<\/p>\n
\"If Cheppy beats Choi, I will let Cheppy make three or four
\ntitle defense attempts before moving to the world body,\" promoter
\nTourino Tidar said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has so far three OPBF champions: lightweight
\nAdrianus Taroreh, junior bantamweight Boy Aruan and mini
\nflyweight Nico Thomas. (Kasiran\/amd)<\/p>",
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