Adrianus to retire after knock out defeat

JAKARTA (JP): It took Adrianus Taroreh just a quarter of an hour to resign, not only from that bruising bout against hard- hitting Orzubek Nazarov on Monday night, but from the ring for good.

Adrianus, one of Indonesia's best boxers, tumbled in the dying second of the fourth round in his World Boxing Association lightweight title challenge against the Kyrgystan-born Japanese title holder in Tokyo.

The 30-year-old contender lost his footing after a jarring left hook from quick-moving Nazarov connected with his grinning face. Adrianus lost consciousness, the second time after a second-round knock down, but this time he failed to beat the count.

No saved-by-the-bell ruling, nor could he do anything to help himself.

The former Orient and Pacific Boxing Confederation champion, looked to learn a lot from his first title shot. "He's too much. I'm going to hang up my gloves," said a disgusted Adrianus, a father of one with a second on the way.

"It was such a memorable fight, however, that my new baby will bear his name," he declared.

Despite the defeat, the first in 14 professional bouts, Adrianus bagged a consolation Rp 200 million (US$90,000) purse.

"Adrianus is old for a world championship fight. He now finds it difficult to restart," coach Jotje Mada said.

Adrianus' manager, Bian Sondakh, agreed with the coach. "The prize money he pockets is a fair amount to start a business," Bian said.

Adrianus is only the second Indonesian to fight a WBA championship match after Elyas Pical in 1984.

Elyas, then the International Boxing federation junior bantamweight champion, was stopped by WBA champion Khaosai Galaxy of Thailand in the 14th round of their bloody unification match here.

Adrianus, silver medalist in the 1986 Asian Games, fought it out only in the first round, before attack-minded Nazarov took total control of the match.

The Indonesian challenger drew laughter from the crowd at the Korakuen Hall as he answered Nazarov's clean hits with big grins. (amd)