Chris John staves off Gainer<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Defending World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight
\nchampion Chris John took care of business on Friday night with a
\nunanimous decision over American Derrick \"Smoke\" Gainer.<\/p>\n
Before spectators including Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso and
\npolitician Amien Rais in the packed Kelapa Gading Sports Mall in
\nNorth Jakarta, the Indonesian overcame a shaky start and the
\nAmerican's defenses for a popular victory.<\/p>\n
The fight went the full 12 rounds, with the three referees
\nscoring it 118-110, 118-111 and 118-109 in the Indonesian's
\nfavor.<\/p>\n
Both fighters seemed overeager in the opening round, with
\nChris John given a standing count just seconds into the contest
\nafter a blow from southpaw Gainer staggered him.<\/p>\n
A few moments later, Gainer lost his footing and also briefly
\ndropped to the mat.<\/p>\n
\"I didn't expect that he would come out so fast,\" Chris John
\nsaid after the bout. \"I decided to be a bit more cautious and
\npick my spots.\"<\/p>\n
In the second round, the 25-year-old native of Banjarnegara,
\nCentral Java, took the fight to Gainer, keeping up a relentless
\nflurry of blows as the American huddled on the ropes.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian assault continued in the following rounds, but
\nGainer, who was formerly managed by fellow Pensacolan Roy Jones
\nJr., maintained his defense-at-all-costs stance.<\/p>\n
Gainer, at 1.75 meters, four centimeters taller than his
\nopponent, tried to launch his own attack in round nine. It was
\nthen that Chris John revealed his counterpunching skills, forcing
\nback his 32-year-old opponent.<\/p>\n
By round 10, the 2000-2003 world champion was clearly tired,
\ndancing out of Chris John's way.<\/p>\n
\"I could see that his stamina was dropping in the seventh
\nround,\" Chris John said.<\/p>\n
Gainer gave credit to the champion. \"He dominated the fight
\nand he beat me. I tried to frustrate him but it didn't work. He
\ndid a good job.\"<\/p>\n
Chris John's record is now 36 wins (19 KOs) without a loss.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/chris-john-staves-off-gainer-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }