JP/1/Tinju

Adrianus keeps title after a 12 round hug

JAKARTA (JP): Adrianus Taroreh's first defense of his Orient and Pacific (OPBF) Lightweight title, against the Australian Darren Miller, was a disappointment to Indonesian and Australian fans alike, showing viewers two boxers who could neither overcome their own bad habits, or exploit their opponent's.

Miller, a taller, lankier opponent, came out of his corner with a style so old fashioned, it's hard to imagine it anywhere but a 1920's highlights film. His lack of timing, speed, distance and tempo meant that he was left with only one option: charging. And this he did, again and again, in an attempt to pummel Adrianus to the canvas with his face.

Adrianus looked sharper. His hands worked the jab well. Unfortunately, he rarely took advantage of Miller's head-first strategy. When Miller charged, Adrianus clinched, and each of them took what shots they could.

When the slip and duck did start to happen with the champ, the wildly over-committed Miller started to fly into, past and once, over Adrianus' body. But Adrianus refused or was unable to follow up with a punch against his bullish opponent.

The one major injury in the bout, aside from the damage sustained to the sport of boxing, took place when a cut formed over Miller's eye. The cut took place when Miller made a charge and, presumably, cut his eye somewhere on the shorts of Adrianus.

By the end, the bout had degenerated into ballroom dancing. In the seconds following the bell in the last rounds, the two men, appropriately, hugged, putting an end to the brutal punishment inflicted on the Indonesian spectators.

Adrianus took the bout, held at the Senayan Basketball Hall, in 12, defending his title in unanimous decision. (dlz/dmy)