Suwito-Lerma bout set for Sept. 30
Suwito-Lerma bout set for Sept. 30
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Suwito Lagola's long wait to regain
his World Boxing Federation welterweight crown is over, as
American titleholder Jaime Lerma has agreed to Sept. 30 as the
date of their bout.
Promoter Anton Sihombing said yesterday that the title fight,
which has been delayed three times, will be staged at the Sahid
Jaya Hotel, the first professional boxing match to be held at a
five-star hotel.
Sihombing said that Leon Panoncillo Jr. of Future Axis Inc.,
Lerma's promotional agency, had made sure that the American boxer
would be fit for the bout after recovering from an injury. The
titleholder is expected to arrive here on Sept. 23.
The duel was first set for July 18, but was pulled off because
No. 1 contender Suwito was considered unfit for the match.
Sihombing announced the second postponement on Aug. 9 for the
same reason.
Sihombing rescheduled the bout to Aug. 27. This time, however,
Hawaiian Laerma failed to turn up due to an injury he suffered
during a workout.
"I guarantee that there will be no more postponement. I have
warned Laerma's camp that we will file a lawsuit against them for
another delay," Sihombing said.
Suwito returned to his hometown of Langkat, about 50
kilometers west of North Sumatra's capital of Medan, after Laerma
confirmed the third postponement.
"Suwito is 100 percent ready for the match. I have a feeling
that he will regain his title," Sihombing said. If Suwito wins,
the promoter will give the 26-year-old boxer a shot at the more
prestigious world championship bout, either the International
Boxing Federation or the World Boxing Organization title.
The WBF stripped Suwito of his crown early this year after
failing to arrange a mandatory fight within three months after
seizing the title from the Philippine's William Magahin with a
10th round technical knockout win in October last year.
Laerma also knocked Magahin out in the 10th round in their
championship match in Manila last January.
Suwito carries a 20-2 win-loss record, which includes 18
knockout victories, heading for the bout. He will receive
US$7,500. (amd)