Basofi challenges George Foreman

SURABAYA: East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman challenged the world's oldest heavyweight champion, George Foreman, to a duel earlier this week.

However, the gauntlet was thrown down during a banquet held on Tuesday in honor of the American boxer and involved singing. After Foreman accepted the challenge, the governor sang Autumn Leaves. Foreman responded by crooning an American tune, If I had a hammer.

"Big George" then danced the night away with singer Jekti Prawinsiwi. He later said the experience, similar to an earlier one at the White House, had made him "nervous."

Basofi said Foreman's presence livened up the public's appetite for boxing.

"I felt I was in the boxing ring when I met George Foreman," he said.

Basofi presented Foreman with a leather puppet, while Foreman gave the governor a copy of his autobiography. (anr)