Indonesians defend PABA boxing title

JAKARTA (JP): Two Indonesian boxers retained their Pan Asia Boxing Association (PABA) titles Tuesday night after defeating opponents from Australia.

Ceppy Holman defended the 61.2 kg lightweight division title after beating Colin Graham on points and Bugiarso defended the 55.3kg featherweight title, defeating Barry Olson with a first- round knockout.

For their endeavors, held at the Senayan basketball hall, Ceppy received Rp 10 million (US$2,800) and Bugiarso received Rp 15 million. Graham and Olson got US$3,500 each.

In the Ceppy-Graham fight, Ceppy dominated throughout the 12 rounds, inflicting a deep cut on Graham's right cheek in the 10th. Thereafter Graham was left practically helpless as Ceppy thundered into him with a series of jabs and uppercuts.

Two judges, Calern Prayadsab from Thailand and local Peter Gedeon, gave the same points totals, 117-111 in favor of Ceppy, while Yudo Prayudo, also of Indonesia, gave the fight to Ceppy 112-110.

Local boxing promoter Boy Bolang said that neither Ceppy nor Graham put up a real fight and only clinched each other.

Graham's coach Bob Siebenhaus was disappointed that the referee did not warn Ceppy for hitting the back of Graham's head.

"We accept the defeat but I am very disappointed that the referee did not warn Ceppy for hitting the back of Colin's head."

Graham is ranked second in the list for the PABA lightweight contest.

In the Bugiarso-Olson fight, Bugiarso only needed two minutes to knock out Olson. Bugiarso put together a combination of punches which the Australian could not defend and he collapsed to the canvas.

Bugiarso comes from the Sasana Akas boxing club in Probolinggo, East Java.

Bugiarso's coach, Junus, said promoter Tourino Tidar had promised that Bugiarso would now face the World Boxing Association featherweight champion Antonio Sarminto of Venezuela.

Sarminto has twice defended his WBA title. "We hope Tourino will keep his promise," Junus said.

Apart from the two PABA bouts, there was another fight in the 57.1 kg featherweight division, at the national level, between Rubby Rahangmetan and Salim Ayuba.

Rubby of the Arseto Jakarta club defended the title on points against Salim of the Borokanda BC Jakarta club. (lnt)