Adrianus to retire after knock out defeat

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)