WBC warns Indonesia of sanctions over ring deaths<\/p>\n
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The World Boxing Council (WBC) is likely to sanction Indonesia
\nover the number of deaths in the country's boxing rings.<\/p>\n
However, a local boxing official has complained that the
\nreports have been blown out of proportion.<\/p>\n
The death toll in professional bouts in the country is deemed
\nso alarming -- five in less than two years -- that it prompted
\nthe WBC and its Asia-Pacific affiliate OPBF to express its deep
\nconcern early this month.<\/p>\n
\"I think I must give an early warning for boxing authorities
\nto heed the issues seriously in the future,\" Chandru Lalwani, the
\nWBC representative in Indonesia, told The Jakarta Post on Monday
\nnight.<\/p>\n
He also said that an explanation about the role of three
\norganizations, each of which claimed to be the legitimate pro-
\nboxing authority in Indonesia, would also needed.<\/p>\n
Donny Maramis, who died from brain concussion following his
\nknock-out defeat by Stanley Kalalo in a national featherweight
\nbout on Oct. 27 in Manado, North Sulawesi, was the fifth fight
\ncasualty in 18 months and the fourth within just 10 months. The
\nother fatalities included, Moh. Alfaridzi, John Namtilu, Bayu
\nYoung Iray and Dipo Saloko,<\/p>\n
Chandru said demands had mounted among the 18-strong OPBF
\nmembers that Indonesia account for the recent deaths during the
\nupcoming WBC convention in Pattaya, Thailand, from Dec. 2 to Dec.
\n8.<\/p>\n
\"If the explanation is not satisfactory, they are likely to
\nvote for possible sanctions and this must be discouraging to
\nIndonesian boxing.<\/p>\n
\"The sanctions can be in the form of precautionary statements
\nthat Indonesian boxing is not safe. Consequently, foreign boxers
\nwould be deterred from visiting Indonesia and Indonesian boxers
\nwould be barred from overseas fights, particularly those under
\nWBC and OPBF auspices,\" Chandru said.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Boxing Commission (KTI) deputy chairman Ebet
\nHutagalung, said that the commission would send a team, led by
\nchairman Anthon Sihombing, to Thailand.<\/p>\n
Asked what it had to present to the commission, he said: \"We
\nwill say that all the boxers have been medically cleared for the
\nfights. Doctors have carried out their duties.<\/p>\n
\"What should be the main concern is the hidden factors. It
\nappeared that the boxers had not equipped themselves with the
\n'black book'. There was no transparency in their boxing records,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Ebet also complained of ring deaths having been blown out of
\nproportion, which he said were the work of \"my friends in the
\nboxing community.<\/p>\n
\"I believe some friends within the boxing community indulge in
\nspeaking ill about Indonesian boxing. That's why WBC and OPBF
\nlook so eager to push forward with the issue,\" Ebet said.<\/p>\n
But he would not disclose the names of persons or institutions
\nallegedly involved.<\/p>\n
Given rivalries in national pro-boxing, which resulted in the
\nestablishment of the Indonesia Boxing Association (ATI), fingers
\nof suspicion could probably be pointed at this fledgling rival.<\/p>\n
However, Chandru, who had worked for both the KTI and ATI,
\nmight also be placed on the blame list as he once hinted that
\nwhenever he talked about boxing betterment he drew suspicion from
\nthe KTI and the ATI.<\/p>\n
\"I just want to optimize my role as WBC representative.
\nOtherwise people would blame of being idle over the issue,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/wbc-warns-indonesia-of-sanctions-over-ring-deaths-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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