Adrianus, Elesna at ideal weights for OPBF title bout

JAKARTA (JP): Both defending Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) lightweight champion Adrianus Taroreh and contender Ernie Elesna of the Philippines weighed in yesterday at their ideal weight for today's title bout.

Adrianus, 28, making his second defense, weighed in right at 61.2 kilograms, the limit for the lightweight division. His contender, ranked number four, was an ounce lighter after a 15- minute steam bath.

Earlier in the morning, the Filipino boxer, Elesna, was eight ounces over the limit. He managed to make it 61.6kg in the first afternoon weighing after a light training session. The steam bath took care of the rest.

"No problem, it commonly happens in boxing. It would become a trouble when we talk about four kilograms," Elesna's coach, Anthony Martin, told journalists who were wondering if this apparent weight problem would play havoc with the Filipino's performance.

Brimming with confidence, Adrianus reiterated that he would not give his 22-year-old challenger a single chance to unleash his big jabs and straights during the bout scheduled for 12 rounds at Senayan indoor stadium.

"He's good, but I will stop him before the final bell clang," Adrianus, silver medalist in the 1986 Asian Games, said. He promised to fight all out, saying that a knock-out victory would earn him a chance to meet the World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Guzzie Nazarov of Russia.

"He has a combined brawling style of an orthodox boxer and an attack-minded fighter. But it doesn't matter to me," Adrianus continued.

Carrying a 7-1 career record, Adrianus, of Kawanua, North Sulawesi, took the title left vacant by Nazarov with a unanimous point decision win over Jong Jin-noh of South Korea here last February.

Elesna, who has defended his national championship belt four times, holds a better professional career record of 20-5, with 11 KO wins.

The Indonesian made a successful but disappointing first title defense attempt last July with a point decision win over Australian Darren Miller after a 12-round bout.

The title holder will receive Rp 30 million (US$13,850) for today's fight. (amd)