Suwito faces lawsuit for quitting ring
Suwito faces lawsuit for quitting ring
MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Indonesian World Boxing Federation
(WBF) welterweight champion Suwito Lugito confirmed his
retirement on Tuesday.
Following the resignation, Suwito's promoter Anton Sihombing
announced he would file a lawsuit against him for breach of
contract.
In a letter dated March 13, Suwito informed the North Sumatra
branch of the Indonesian Boxing Committee (KTI) that he had
decided to retire from boxing. It was the second letter in which
he had stated this intention. The first was dated Feb. 6.
Suwito said that he had taken the decision following alleged
mistreatment by his promoter.
Ray Sinambela from KTI's North Sumatra branch office told The
Jakarta Post Tuesday that they had tried to prevent Suwito from
retiring. He said the office had even invited Suwito to discuss
the matter at a meeting on March 14. The boxer refused to attend
without giving reasons.
"Since it is Suwito's wish we cannot prevent him. But we
deeply regret his decision," Ray said.
Suwito lives in Gohor Lama, Langkat regency, North Sumatra.
His wife, Herawati, recently said that an already strained
relationship between Suwito and his promoter took a turn for the
worse when the latter did not pay the full fee Suwito had earned
for wearing shorts advertising Anker Bir, the main sponsor of a
title bout against Australia's Danny Boy in Jakarta last November
which Suwito won.
Difficulties first emerged between the pair when the promoter
took charge of the championship belt Suwito won by defeating
Jimmy Lerma of the United States in 1996.
Suwito's brother Tego Utomo said that Anton took the belt
without Suwito's knowledge.
Anton, meanwhile, said Tuesday that he would sue Suwito for
terminating the contract and damaging his name.
"I fear that someone has encouraged Suwito to break the
contract," Anton said, adding that he held rights to stage one
more Suwito fight.
Anton also said that Suwito's demand for advertising fees
could be settled friendly. (lnt/21)