Chrisjon retains WBA title after head-on collision

Chrisjon retains WBA title after head-on collision

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post/Tenggarong, East Kalimantan

Indonesian World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion
Chrisjon retained his crown in a technical draw after a title
bout against Jose Rojas was stopped after four rounds here on
Friday.

Referee Abainza Silvestre stopped 12-round maximum match at
Rondong Demang Stadium in Tenggarong, East Kalimantan, one minute
and 19 seconds into the fourth round following an accidental
head-on-head crack that cut the temples of both fighters.

The Philippine referee said the bleeding was too serious for
the defending champion to continue the fight in accordance with
WBA rules.

According to ring doctor Tommy Halauwet, Chrisjon suffered a
four-centimeter-long slash, while Rojas was cut 1.5 centimeters.

WBA first vice president Yang Suk-Shim said: "As an accident
stopped the bout in the fourth round, the match should be
declared a technical draw, however, Chrisjon should remain the
World Champion."

The second defense of his title, Chrisjon dominated his
Venezuelan contender, who had been given a shot after American
Derrick Gainer refused to meet the Indonesian, in a match held
outdoors.

After a lackluster first two rounds, Chrisjon initiated an
attack in the third round with a series of right hooks and
straights, forcing Rojas to clinch.

Chrisjon now has a record of 34-1-0 with 19 knockouts while
the southpaw Rojas is 19-6-0 with 12 knockouts.

In an undercard bout, Pan Asia Boxing Association (PABA)
champion Daudy Bahari scored a lopsided 78-74, 78-73, 78-73 win
over Thai No. 1 Detcha in a welterweight non-title fight.

Attacking-minded Daudy sent his opponent to the floor in the
fourth round with his legs stretched flat. The Thai beat the
count, which he protested, claiming he was slipping off a wet
floor.

In the eighth round, a powerful punch by Daudy landed square
in Det's face, sending him staggering. That time Det was too
dazed to complain.

Earlier in the night, local boxer Hengky Tobias beat Venich
Sabooyoko of Thailand in a unanimous decision in their
lightweight match.

Sabooyoko looked dominant throughout the bout but a late
offensive by the Indonesian in the last two rounds apparently
impressed the judges, who scored the bout 78-75, 78-75, 78-75 for
Hengky.