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)