Suwito hangs up his gloves for good

Suwito hangs up his gloves for good

MEDAN (JP): World Boxing Federation welterweight champion
Suwito Lagola of Indonesia has decided to hang up his gloves for
good because, he said, he could not stand being mistreated by his
promoter Anton Sihombing.

Suwito withdrawal from boxing was stated in a letter dated
Feb. 6, which was announcement on private television stations.

Suwito could not be reached for comment at his home in Gohor
Lama, Langkat regency, North Sumatra, but his wife, Herawati,
said Sunday that Suwito does not want to meet anyone, including
promoter Anton.

According to Herawati, Anton did not pay Suwito his fee from
the main sponsor, Anker Bir, for a fight in Jakarta last November
against Australia's Danny Boy. During the bout, Suwito wore
trousers bearing the Anker Bir name.

"Besides the fee, my husband did not receive the champion's
belt from Boy. The belt is rightfully owned by Suwito because of
his victory over Jimmy Lerma of the U.S. in 1996. Anton borrowed
the belt without Suwito's knowledge," Herawati said.

Tego Utomo, Suwito's brother, said Suwito was angry that the
belt had been given to a representative of the Indonesian Boxing
Committee (KTI) .

"We could not say anything because KTI's representative told
us that they were only borrowing the belt. Until now, the belt
has not been returned," Tego said, adding that Suwito has two
other championship belts. The two belts were from victories over
William Magahin and Lerma.

The North Sumatra chapter of KTI is scheduled to call Suwito
to finalize the matter.

On Monday, Chandru Lalwani, KTI's vice chairman, said that he
regrets Suwito's decision to quit boxing.

Chandru said that it was unreasonable for Suwito to quit
boxing and Suwito should clarify his withdrawal.

"We would only accept Suwito's resignation if he said he was
injured and could no longer fight in the ring," Chandru said,
reported Kompas.

Chandru said that KTI has not received any written statement
from Suwito and promoter Anton. "We only know about the matter on
hearsay and we are still waiting for a written statement."

Chandru added that if there is a conflict with the promoter,
KTI will try to settle the problem.

"We will try our best to settle the conflict between Suwito
and Anton," Chandru said.

Referring to Suwito quitting boxing, Anton said he does not
object to Suwito's decision. Anton is only disappointed that
Suwito has discredited his name.

"I don't know why Suwito would do such a thing, discrediting
my name," Anton said. (lnt/21)