Bonix incorporates optimism to fight opponent in ring

By Bona Beding

DENPASAR (JP): As the bell rang before the end of the third round to signify his victory, Indonesian bantamweight boxer Bonix Yusac Saweho jumped in jubilation and punched the air, while about 3,000 local spectators cheered.

Bonix's opponent, B. Wickramasinghe of Sri Lanka, returned to his corner as the referee stopped the contest to give Indonesia its first gold at the 19th President's Cup international amateur boxing championship in the Grand Bali Beach hotel, Sanur, on Thursday evening.

Bonix -- the youngest of two children from the marriage of Boby Saweho, 47, and Minsye Mokodompis, 45, -- was born in Manado, North Sulawesi, on Nov. 11, 1982.

"Boxing attracted my attention from when I was very young," he said.

His uncle Sakawang Mokodompis, a former national boxer, introduced the sport to Bonix before finally training him. He understood the uppercut, hook, jab and other boxing terms from an early age.

Pleased with Bonix's development, his uncle encouraged him to compete in the 38kg division of the Pre-Junior National Boxing Championships in Jakarta in 1997. He won his first gold at the event.

A year later, he won another gold, and again in 1999 at the Andi Matalata championships in Makasar, South Sulawesi.

His best achievement so far was in the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya in June when he got a bronze after losing to Kristo of Bengkulu in the light flyweight division.

Bonix has always been optimistic. Several hours before winning the championships, he told The Jakarta Post that he was confident of beating Wickramasinghe.

This optimism was based on a difference in boxing styles.

"Wickramasinghe is a fighter while I like to counter," said the graduate of Elfatah high school in Manado.

Bonix is hoping to become a civil servant, and has so far turned down the chance of becoming a professional boxer.

"I don't want to turn pro. Professional boxers are only fighting for money," said Bonix, who was a member of the Sario Boxing Association in his hometown before being called to the national training center by the Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association (Pertina).

Coach Johnny Assadoma said that national boxers should create their own identity.

"So far they are not sure of their boxing style," said Johnny, who was also Garuda team manager at the event.

Counter boxing, as defined by Bonix, encourages fighters to not only to wait for opponent's mistakes but also to be more creative in attack.

"For a very long time, Indonesian boxers have only hit opponents and then retreated. It's not effective."

Johnny said Indonesian boxers must be more aggressive on the attack.