Suwito-Pena bout set for March 17

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's World Boxing Federation (WBF) welterweight champion Suwito Lagola will put his title on the line when he fights fifth-ranked challenger Frank Pena of the United States here on March 17.

The scheduled 12-round bout, due to be staged at Hotel Indonesia, will be Suwito's first defense of the title he wrested from Jaime Lerma, also of the U.S, here on Sept. 30.

"Suwito will collect a purse of US$15,000 against $8,000 to be received by Pena for the fight," Indonesian promoter Anthon Sihombing said yesterday.

Anthon, who was also the promoter of the Suwito-Lerma title fight, said he would soon send 30 percent of Pena's payment to the challenger as a guarantee that he would abide by the provision of the contract signed last month in the United States.

The promoter said if Suwito wins over Pena, the champion would have a chance to fight for higher stakes in the more prestigious World Boxing Organization (WBO).

"Chances are that Suwito will automatically become the top challenger to the WBO titleholder if he beats Pena. Suwito is tremendously talented, and I'm pretty sure he has the potential to dethrone the WBO champ," Anthon said, full of praise for the bell-to-bell 24-year-old puncher. Suwito is known for his powerful piercing jabs, devastating hooks and unwavering never- say-die fighting spirit.

He said he had sent Suwito's detailed fight records, including a video of his fight with Pena, to the WBO in an effort to convince the organization that his boxer has met all the requirements to mount a respectable challenge to the WBO champion.

"So far, WBO officials know little about Suwito. They think he is just an obscure fighter. They also have expressed doubt about his true boxing quality, saying his upset victory over Lerma was greatly helped by a hometown decision.

"I hope the video serves as an eye-opener to the Doubting Thomases in the WBO that the win was not a fluke, and by all means Suwito deserved it. In short, Suwito is not a pushover," Anthon said.

He said in preparation for the fight, Suwito would be sent to Thailand in January for a series of sparring bouts with Thai boxers, who are widely known for their ability to absorb heavy punches. (bas)