Cheppy to struggle against the odds
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian contender Cheppy "Macho" Holman fights Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation Junior Lightweight Champion Choi Yong-soo of South Korea today.
Choi is sporting a bruised eye and Cheppy smells blood.
A sparring partner's blow blackened Choi's right eye during a workout on Thursday, providing Cheppy with a target to focus on during the title bout scheduled for 12 rounds at the Saparua sports hall in Bandung, West Java.
"No problem. My boxer is an extremely stubborn one," South Korean manager Kim Chun-suk shrugged off the black eye at a press conference on Thursday. "The slight injury will not stop my kid from retaining his title," Kim added.
With a longer reach, bigger build and younger age, Choi has all the advantages over his Indonesian number one challenger in his sixth successive title defense attempt. The South Korean left hander also has a better win-loss record: 19-2 as against 16-3.
"I'll send him kissing the canvas before the eighth round," Choi boasted. He last knocked out Filipino Nick Erano in the sixth round in January this year, taking his KO wins tally to 12.
Cheppy has finished his opponents within distance nine times, and was cautiously optimistic about the coming bout, without being as specific as Choi. "I'm not willing to give an exact figure. I have the chance to stop him in every round," he said.
Cheppy has opted to prepare himself for the title match under strict military discipline at the education and training command in Bandung.
"His power and speed have improved greatly. He only needs to stay calm and conserve his energy," coach Khairus Sahel said. Cheppy underwent the rigorous training program under the tutelage of Khairus and Asep Suganda.
Title holder Choi will pocket US$70,000 for the bout, while Cheppy will earn Rp 10 million ($4,500). A win looks likely to give Cheppy the chance to fight at the world level, considering that Choi is ranked number two by the World Boxing Council.
"If Cheppy beats Choi, I will let Cheppy make three or four title defense attempts before moving to the world body," promoter Tourino Tidar said.
Indonesia has so far three OPBF champions: lightweight Adrianus Taroreh, junior bantamweight Boy Aruan and mini flyweight Nico Thomas. (Kasiran/amd)