Boxer's ex-manager seeks mediation
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Boxer Chrisjon's former manager Sutan Rambing appealed to the Indonesian Boxing Commission (KTI) on Thursday to mediate his dispute with the WBA featherweight champion.
Sutan said he could sue for breach of contract after the boxer abruptly resigned from his Bank Buana training camp in Semarang in December, but it would prevent Chrisjon from undertaking any bouts until the matter was finished.
"So requesting the KTI resolve our dispute is the best solution and I will accept whatever decision KTI takes, including the possibility that the KTI does not resolve it at all," said Sutan, who recently returned from the haj pilgrimage.
"I'm already proud to deliver Chrisjon to become world champion."
Among others attending the press conference were World Boxing Association (WBA) representative in Indonesia Tourino Tidar and Sutan's lawyer Uhum Gunawan.
Although they were invited, KTI officials did not show up.
In a letter to Sutan dated Dec. 26, Chrisjon stated he was leaving the camp and would be responsible for his own management.
Although the 25 year old did not specify a reason for leaving, he had publicly complained about his purse for his title defense against Jose Rojas of Venezuela, saying it was too low at Rp 400 million.
Sutan countered by showing a Dec. 13, 2004, bank transfer slip in the amount of Rp 496,612,125, which was a 50:50 split based on the agreement set by both sides.
Chrisjon, who married this month, subsequently entered Greg Christian's camp in Perth as part of his preparations for a March 3 mandatory defense against Derrick Gainer of the U.S.
At the press conference, Sutan also provided a copy of the contract with the boxer dated Feb. 6, 2004, and valid through Feb. 6, 2007.
The contract states that all bout purses and revenue from other sources, such as advertisements, will be divided equally between the two.
"By providing this letter of agreement, I hope I can clarify that Chrisjon is still my boxer legally and my problem with Chrisjon is not about money," he said.
"I don't depend on Chrisjon to finance my camp as I have run it for years through private sponsors. All I want is for the agreement that I have with Chrisjon to be upheld."