Nico beats Jodsingh to claim OPBF crown<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Sweat, blood and bruises were not too much to
\npay for former mini-flyweight world champion Nico Thomas, who
\nstruggled to salvage his pride -- and his family life -- on
\nThursday night.<\/p>\n
\"This is the most exhausting fight I've ever had in my
\ncareer,\" a panting Nico said after recapturing the Orient and
\nPacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title late Thursday night.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old left-hander defied his age disadvantage to
\ntame teenager Jodsingh Sarina of Thailand in a close trade of
\npunches in the smoky Senayan basketball arena.<\/p>\n
Nico dominated the first nine rounds of the bout. He displayed
\nhis masterful body throughout the last three rounds and won the
\nbout with a unanimous decision.<\/p>\n
A boisterous victory procession turned into a family gathering
\nwhen Nico met his wife, Farida, and their two-year-old daughter
\nDavita, who sat restlessly throughout the 12-round bout.<\/p>\n
\"Thank God my husband won,\" Farida said briefly, her face
\nexpressing more than she could tell. Devita, who was packed into
\nthe arena with 3,000 others, kept crying while her parents were
\ncongratulated by fans.<\/p>\n
\"We want a better life after this glorious day. I realize that
\nboxing ring is the only place where we can make a living,\" said
\nFarida. \"First of all, we need our own house,\" she added.<\/p>\n
Nico and his family of four live in a rental house in Kebon
\nKopi, Bintaro, South Jakarta. \"I'm not expecting a helping hand,
\nbut I will entirely thank those who want to provide me with a new
\nhouse,\" said Nico, who has maintained a commendable record during
\nhis amateur career.<\/p>\n
Both Nico, OPBF challenger number two, and Jodsingh, OPBF
\nnumber one contender, each earned US$25,000 for the title fight.<\/p>\n
World title<\/p>\n
The victory puts Nico one step closer to reclaiming a world
\ntitle, but many believe that he is already slower than during his
\nheyday.<\/p>\n
\"Age is no longer a valid gauge to predict a boxer's career,\"
\nNico, who left the ring with a cut on his cheek bone, stated. \"I
\nstill have something to say in the boxing world.\"<\/p>\n
\"My commitment to become a responsible father has driven me to
\nstep into the ring,\" he said.<\/p>\n
It took him two years of hard-fought struggling to come out of
\nhis frustrating years when he kissed the canvas during his
\nInternational Boxing Federation challenge in Bangkok in 1993.<\/p>\n
Nico enjoyed the ecstasy of victory at home six years ago when
\nhe became the second Indonesian to win a world title after fellow
\nMaluku-born Elyas Pical. The celebration, however, proved short-
\nlived as Nico was knocked out by Filipino Eric Chavez in his
\nmaiden title defense attempt.<\/p>\n
Promoter Tourino Tidar promised to bring Nico back into the
\nworld championship track. The pugilist, however, will first have
\nto prove that he deserves either a World Boxing Association or
\nWorld Boxing Council title fight in a mandatory fight against
\nOPBF number one contender in three months' time.<\/p>\n
However, Nico, as the holder, will be facing much higher
\nstakes in the next OPBF championship match. (amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nico-beats-jodsingh-to-claim-opbf-crown-1447893297",
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