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)