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Tue, 07 May 1996

JP/Bugiarso eyes PABA crown win

Bugiarso eyes PABA crown win

JAKARTA (JP): The hands of Bugiarso, which landed a fatal blow to Akbar Maulana in a title bout on May 12 last year, will try to seize the belt of Pan Asian Boxing Association (PABA) junior featherweight champion Alexander Pak of Russia at the Senayan Basketball Hall on Thursday.

Bugiarso, who struggled for three months to overcome the sense of guilt at Maulana's death, said yesterday that he was set to beat Pak in a scheduled 12-round bout.

The 24-year-old East Javanese has been preparing himself for the bout for three and a half months. "I have learned Pak's fighting style by watching his fights on video. I don't mean to belittle him but in my opinion he is so-so as a fighter," said the junior high school dropout in a soft tone.

Pak, in his last semester of economics study, said that as boxer he is always ready for a bout. However, for the bout against Bugiarso, Pak said he made special preparations for three months. Is he aware that Maulana died at Bugiarso hands? "Yes, I heard about that, but I'm not afraid. I'll show who I am in the ring. Just wait," said the 24-year-old Russian. Currently, Pak is rated third by the World Boxing Association. If Bugiarso beats him, Bugiarso will automatically take over his World Boxing Association ranking, said matchmaker Tourino Tidar.

The other main bout on Thursday will pit another Indonesian, Ceppy Holman, who ranks first in the Pan Asian Boxing Association's lightweight division, against Oleg Marchenko of Russia, who ranks second, for the vacant Pan Asian Boxing Association lightweight title.

Promoter R.M. Soeryo Goeritno said the two bouts, together with four supporting bouts which will start at 7 p.m. on Thursday, is aimed at facilitating Indonesian boxers' attempt at World Boxing Association titles.

"President of PABA, Yangshup Shim, is vice president of WBA," Goeritono said, "Thus, it is easier for us as a member of PABA to go to WBA. However, the World Boxing Council, WBA's archrival, will gladly welcome us if we want to pursue a WBC title." (arf)