Chris John looking homeward for bout

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

WBA featherweight champion Chris John, whose success in the ring has been overshadowed by a drawn-out battle with his former trainer, wants his next bout held at home.

"If possible, I want to fight in front of my supporters," Chris was quoted as saying in his hometown of Semarang, Central Java, by Antara on Thursday.

Chris, who defended his title on Sunday with a nine-round win over Tommy Browne of Australia in Sydney, said that he did not know who his opponent would be in the January 2006 bout.

He mentioned Humberto Soto of Mexico, who is ranked third, and fourth-ranked Jose Cheo Rojas of Venezuela as likely contenders.

"Both are scheduled to fight each other for the number one place in the WBA featherweight rankings. The winner will face me in the mandatory fight," said the boxer, who turns 26 in September.

The contenders list, as released on wbaonline.com, shows Japanese Takashi Koshimoto ranked second, while American Derrick Gainer, whom Chris defeated in his mandatory fight here in April, is ninth.

Chris John said promoter Daniel Bahari would likely arrange the bout if it were staged at home.

While the mandatory fight is still months away, Chris is looking to a lucrative undercard fight for Oct. 1's light heavyweight contest featuring champion Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones Jr. in Tampa, Florida.

"I have been offered US$200,000 to get into the ring for the undercard bout," Chris said, adding that he would be given freedom to choose his opponent.

Chris is now on a three-week break as his wife prepares to give birth to their first child.

He then plans to head to Las Vegas, where he will spar with Novel Bin Faba of Tunisia, his boxing mate at Harry's Gym in Perth, for the latter's WBO welterweight fight.

Chris also needs to resolve his dispute with former trainer Sutan Rambing, who is taking him to court for breach of contract.

Opening arguments were heard in the district court in Semarang on Tuesday, with the trial adjourned until Aug. 23.

Sutan argues that his contract with Chris John is binding until 2007 and he is entitled to a share of his earnings.

Chris, who left Sutan's training camp in December last year and subsequently joined forces with Australian coach Craig Christian, said on Thursday he would not consider giving any of his purse from the Browne fight to his former trainer.

Chris has successfully defended his crown four times since winning it in September 2003 over Oscar Leon.