Chris John staves off Gainer

Chris John staves off Gainer

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Defending World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight
champion Chris John took care of business on Friday night with a
unanimous decision over American Derrick "Smoke" Gainer.

Before spectators including Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso and
politician Amien Rais in the packed Kelapa Gading Sports Mall in
North Jakarta, the Indonesian overcame a shaky start and the
American's defenses for a popular victory.

The fight went the full 12 rounds, with the three referees
scoring it 118-110, 118-111 and 118-109 in the Indonesian's
favor.

Both fighters seemed overeager in the opening round, with
Chris John given a standing count just seconds into the contest
after a blow from southpaw Gainer staggered him.

A few moments later, Gainer lost his footing and also briefly
dropped to the mat.

"I didn't expect that he would come out so fast," Chris John
said after the bout. "I decided to be a bit more cautious and
pick my spots."

In the second round, the 25-year-old native of Banjarnegara,
Central Java, took the fight to Gainer, keeping up a relentless
flurry of blows as the American huddled on the ropes.

The Indonesian assault continued in the following rounds, but
Gainer, who was formerly managed by fellow Pensacolan Roy Jones
Jr., maintained his defense-at-all-costs stance.

Gainer, at 1.75 meters, four centimeters taller than his
opponent, tried to launch his own attack in round nine. It was
then that Chris John revealed his counterpunching skills, forcing
back his 32-year-old opponent.

By round 10, the 2000-2003 world champion was clearly tired,
dancing out of Chris John's way.

"I could see that his stamina was dropping in the seventh
round," Chris John said.

Gainer gave credit to the champion. "He dominated the fight
and he beat me. I tried to frustrate him but it didn't work. He
did a good job."

Chris John's record is now 36 wins (19 KOs) without a loss.