Lamhot will quit if Pintor beats him
Lamhot will quit if Pintor beats him
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian bantamweight Lamhot Simamora says he will retire from boxing if he should succumb to Mexico's number six Efrain Pintor at a non-title bout at the Senayan Basketball Hall this evening.
Pintor, on the other hand, says he will knock Lamhot out in the fifth round.
"He might brag. But he has yet to prove it. I have not set any target. But if I find the correct timing, even in the first or second rounds, I might floor him," Lamhot said in response to Pintor's boast.
"This is not an exhibition bout," promoter Boy Bolang said, "A win would be a decisive factor which will significantly affect the winner's world ranking if he belongs to a world boxing body."
"I'm sure I have the potential to become a world bantamweight champion," Lamhot said, "but if I shall fall to him, that would mean that I'm tired and it's time for me to retire."
Pintor's coach, Francisco Sanchez, said Lamhot should not make such a statement. "He should regard a loss as a valuable lesson worth more than ten victories," Sanchez said.
Lamhot, a 24-year-old student at a computer school, retained his Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation title seven times before he bid for an IBF title bout against then champion Julio Barboa of Mexico, supposed to be held in February 1993.
Promoter Boy Bolang decided to postpone the world championship, when learning that Lamhot was not ready for the bout. The plan suffered an even worse setback following Lamhot's injury during practice.
Eventually it was American Harold Grey who snatched the IBF crown from Barboa in September last year. And a victory over Pintor would reopen Lamhot's chance to challenge Grey.
Lamhot records a 17 unbeaten streak, including six knock-outs and seven technical knock-outs.
The 30-year-old Efrain Pintor, on the other hand, has a record of 46 matches, 19 knock-outs and 13 technical knock-outs.
Lamhot will get Rp 16 million (US$7,269) and Pintor Rp 12 million ($6,000) for the bout. (arf)