Boxer La Paene aims for national title
JAKARTA (JP): Only two months after turning professional, boxer La Paene Masara has set an ambitious target to be the national champion by the end of this year.
"I want to be the national champion. Hopefully, in my sixth bout, I'll challenge current 49-kilogram champion Vecky Tahumil," he told reporters on Wednesday.
La Paene left amateur boxing in February to earn more money. He joined Extra Joss boxing camp in Cilandak, South Jakarta, and has competed in the six-round, non-title bout in the Sabuk Emas program broadcast live by private-owned RCTI.
His third performance, which will be held in eight rounds, is set for May 15.
La Paene, who has no rank, must fight in 12-round bouts to obtain national ranking.
He also sets a higher target of winning an OPBF (Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation) title next year.
"An OPBF title is more prestigious than PABA (Pan Asia Boxing Association) or IBF (International Boxing Federation) Continental and it also offers more money. But there is tough competition between Asian boxers to earn such a title. Insya Allah (God willing), I could fight for it next year. It depends on my performance this year."
La Paene said he received good returns in the televised professional bouts.
"I get 70 percent of the commission while the manager, trainer and boxing camp get the rest of it. I also get Rp 1 million (US$84.5) from Extra Joss boxing camp for one bout.
"Money is a sure thing in professional boxing. I asked some of my colleagues who attended the training program for the Southeast Asian Games. They told me that they had not received their allowances.
"Poor boxers! It's not a big problem for a young boxer, but for those who have a family, money is a big thing," said the father of two.
La Paene won by points against ranked 13th Yanto Saga of Demak, Central Java, in Tuesday's match. He pocketed Rp 3.5 million from the non-title bout.
"I might get a raise in my next bout."
La Paene's coach Boy Kelung targeted his boxer to grab the national champion title in September.
Boy also said that Vecky, formerly an amateur boxer, would not pose a big threat to La Paene, because the latter managed to floor Vecky in the national amateur boxing championships in Manado, North Sulawesi, in 1994.
In contrast, Vecky has never competed in the Olympic Games during his amateur career while La Paene's highest achievement was reaching the 1996 Atlanta Olympics quarterfinals.
"La Paene outshines Vecky in technical skills and experience. Vecky might have a better opportunity because he had experience in performing in 12-rounds," Boy said.
Other potential contenders for La Paene are number one boxer in the junior flyweight division Falazona Fidal and runner up Damianus Jordan. Both are former amateur boxers.
La Paene said that knocking out a former amateur boxer was more difficult than those without an amateur background.
"I would be more relaxed if I met a professional because he would only depend on his punch and power. But a former amateur boxer has comprehensive technical skills thus he is more difficult to tame," he said. (ivy)