IBF chief in RI for two bouts

IBF chief in RI for two bouts

JAKARTA (JP): International Boxing Federation chairman Robert
Lee is currently in Surabaya, East Java to watch two IBF
Intercontinental bouts.

Andrian Kaspari of Indonesia, the title holder of the IBF
Continental bantamweight division, will fight Sairung Suwanggasin
of Thailand in Surabaya tonight while Anis Roga will defend his
junior featherweight title against Chaider Jaroen, also of
Thailand, in Probolinggo tomorrow.

"Lee will observe directly the performances of Andrian and
Anis in an effort to promote the two boxers to the senior IBF
level, " said Herry Sugiarto, promoter of the two title fights.

Lee arrived in Surabaya Thursday and told reporters that he
was impressed by Andrian and Anis' performances during training
sessions, Antara reported yesterday.

Lee said for Andrian and Anis to challenge senior boxers, they
must be near the top of the list of challengers to the title
holders.

"Andrian is ranked second in the list of challengers in the
IBF bantamweight division. He cannot fight holder Mbolule Bottile
of South Africa however, as Bottile has to carry out a mandatory
fight against top challenger Tim Austin of the United States in
January or March next year," Lee said.

"If Bottile wins over Austin, Andrian may possibly move into
the top challenger spot and face Bottile. But if Austin wins, he
will choose his own challenger before fighting the top
challenger."

Meanwhile, Andrian refused to say whether he could beat
Sairung.

"I don't want to make any promise that I will win by a
knockout or on points but I will do my best to defend the title,"
Andrian said.

Andrian, who has a record of 10 knockouts in his previous
bouts, said he knows Sairung fighting style after watching a
number of videos. "I am fit to challenge Sairung."

Sairung conversely showed confidence that he will beat Andrian
as he has prepared well for the coming match.

"I do not know much about Andrian and I will try to take the
title from him," said Sairung. (lnt)