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)