Cheppy to struggle against the odds

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)