Amateur, pro boxers to unite

JAKARTA (JP): National amateur and professional boxers have agreed to band together in one association in a bid to improve the standard of national boxing.

The Indonesian Boxing Commission, the professional boxing controlling body, and the Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association are now completing discussions over a united body.

"We have reached agreement over the details of the proposal. A special team involving both parties is expected to finalize the format of the new body soon," chief of the boxing commission, AM Hendropriyono, said in a meeting with National Sports Council Chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar yesterday.

Wismoyo welcomed Indonesia's new World Boxing Federation welterweight champion Suwito Lagola in a rare meeting yesterday. The council is responsible only for developing amateur sports.

Hendro said that the unification will mark a new era in the country's boxing world.

"We have long awaited the unification. National boxers will start their careers from amateur and can support their living through this sport in professional competition," Hendro said.

The commission has ruled that a boxer should have experience in amateur boxing before turning professional.

Suwito of Medan, North Sumatra knocked out Filipino defending champion Roland Magahin in the 11th round of their title match over the weekend. He became the third Indonesian to wrest a world championship belt after Elyas Pical and Nico Thomas, both affiliated with the International Boxing Federation.

Promoter Dewi Budiarti said she had no plan to bring Suwito to a more prestigious world championship match in the near future, noting that she is preparing another boxer, Ajib Albarado, to fight for a WBF bout against American title holder Kenny Vice in Surabaya in two months time. (amd)