Daniel regains option over Chrisjon bout

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

After splitting for about three months, boxing promoter Daniel Bahari and WBA featherweight champion Chrisjon will be back together for the Indonesian's title defense against American Derrick Gainer in November.

After helping guide Chrisjon to a victory in his first title defense over Japan's Osamu Sato in Tokyo in June, Daniel and Chrisjon parted over a disagreement on the payment for the boxer's next planned bout.

But on Thursday, Daniel announced he would be in charge of the boxer's bout against Gainer, to be held in Tenggarong, East Kalimantan, in November.

Daniel confirmed his return after settling with little-known promoter M. Arsyad of East Kalimantan over who held the rights to promote the bout.

Arsyad offered US$70,000 to Gainer to promote the bout, but Daniel countered with an offer $5,000 higher.

At the urging of the WBA's coordinator for Indonesia, Tourino, the two sides met on Thursday. The meeting was also attended by Chrisjon's coach Sutan Rambing and representatives of the bout's official TV station, Indosiar.

"Everything is clear. I will deal with Gainer for his payment. Now, the bout will definitely be held in Tenggarong in November," Daniel said.

Daniel said Arsyad would not be completely left out of the deal. Both Arsyad and the Kutai Tourism Agency have been given a role in financially supporting the negotiations with Gainer.

In a fax to Tourino, Gainer said he was in favor of accepting the offer.

While Daniel has yet to confirm a deal with Gainer's camp, Chrisjon trainer Sutan Rambing has reportedly secured Rp 2.25 billion from a sponsor, including Rp 1.5 billion (some US$160,000) for his boxer.