Adrianus to fight Nasarov in Japan

Adrianus to fight Nasarov in Japan

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Adrianus Taroreh has signed a contract to fight World Boxing Association lightweight champion Orzubek Nasarov in Tokyo in April 15.

The contract, signed over the weekend, ended months of doubt about the title fight caused by a dispute between two national promoters who claimed they owned the rights to the bout.

The agreement also prevented a possible auction by the WBA, scheduled for Feb. 10 at the Cesar Park Hotel, Panama City.

Adrianus, 29, did not need to fly for Tokyo to sign the contract. It was sent by Japanese promoter Mack Kanehira by facsimile. Kanehira was not in attendance at the signing which was conducted at the new office of the Indonesian Boxing Commission.

Adrianus just did what the Japanese promoter requested, so did his agent Lineke Lolowang and chairman of the commission A.M. Hendropriyono.

The Indonesian boxer, holder of the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title, will receive US$35,000 for the bout, scheduled for 12 rounds.

Lineke said she had no option but to accept Kanehira's offer. "It will be too long to wait for the auction. Kanehira has agreed to appoint me his only Indonesian partner for this bout," Lineke said.

The female promoter had fought tooth and nail against rival promoter Willy Lasut to bring the world championship bout here.

Hendropriyono intervened in the flare-up, prompting a solution by accepting Kanehira's offer. "The match will raise our national pride, although Adrianus has to fight abroad," Hendropriyono said.

Adrianus, carrying a 9-1 professional record, took the OPBF crown early in 1994 and has successfully defended his title twice. Lineke gave him two non-title bouts as a warm-up prior to the world championship fight last year. (amd)