Suwito retains WBF welterweight title

JAKARTA (JP): Suwito Lagola of Indonesia retained his World Boxing Federation (WBF) welterweight title in a controversial points decision against Danny Boy of Australia on Thursday night.

The three judges scored the fight very differently. Bruce McTavis of the Philippines made it a 114-114 draw, Peter Gedoan gave a 115-113 victory to Suwito and N. Larnula of Thailand gave a 116-112 victory to Boy.

Following the split decision, Suwito was proclaimed the victor and has the right to keep the title. The result was approved by Jack Rainey, the WBF supervisor for Asia and Pacific.

For Suwito, the bout at the Granadha Building, Central Jakarta, was his second title defense. His first was in April when he outpointed Leroy Owens of the United States in a unanimous decision.

Suwito captured the WBF title in September 1996 when he outboxed Jaime Lerma of the U.S., also by a unanimous decision.

The fight was witnessed by some 2,000 spectators, including the chairman of the Indonesian Sports Council, Wismoyo Arismunandar, and Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso.

The spectators were disappointed by Suwito's poor performance and got behind Boy. They even booed the final decision.

Boy's trainer Ian Beatty was also disappointed by the result and immediately asked for a rematch.

"To be honest, Danny should have won the fight. But since the referee's decision is absolute, we have to abide by the decision," Beatty said.

Even Nico Toriri, the WBF middleweight champion, said the victory should have been given to Boy. "It's really a disgrace, Boy should have won the fight."

Boy was the number one challenger to Suwito. He is known as a natural boxer and prepared for the fight very seriously.

From the first round, Boy pressed his opponent with a series of right jabs, left hooks, and straight punches to Suwito's face and body.

Suwito found it difficult to counter most of the punches as Boy danced around the ring when not throwing his combinations.

Boy dominated eight rounds while Suwito controlled the second and third rounds. The first and seventh rounds were pretty much even.

Boy admitted that Suwito's punches were good but not as accurate as his.

"Most of my punches were accurate. I don't understand why I lost the fight," Boy said. (lnt)