World champion Chrisjon gets windfall for his boxing feat

Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang

Newly-declared world champion Christian John, who is more popularly known as Chrisjon, has been awarded Rp 97.5 million (around US$11,700) in cash bonuses.

The bonuses were collected from various parties and were handed over by Central Java Governor Mardiyanto in a ceremony at the Grand Candi Hotel in Semarang on Saturday.

Chrisjon, 23-years-old, is the third Indonesian to be crowned the world champion after past champions Ellyas Pical and Nico Thomas.

Chrisjon rise to the championship in the featherweight division of the World Boxing Association (WBA) began when he defeated Oscar Leon of Colombia in an 'ad interim' fight in Bali on Sept. 28 last year.

Despite the win, Chrisjon had to wait for two months before he declared the world champion after reigning champion Derrick Gainer of United States lost to Juan Marquez of Venezuela in his bid to unify his WBA title with the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title on Nov. 1.

The vacated crown was promptly awarded to the Indonesian.

Anton Sihombing, the chairman of the Indonesian Boxing Commission (KTI), hailed Chrisjon achievement, saying: "Chrisjon is the only world champion we have today."

Mardiyanto offered his fatherly advice, warning Chrisjon against overly satisfaction and urging him to train even harder in the future.

After his recognition, Chrisjon, under trainer Muchlis Sutan Rambing, is likely to face the true test when he takes on Jose Cheo Rojas of Venezuela, which will be his first defense.

Antara reported that the match is scheduled to be held at the Kelapa Gading Sports Mall, North Jakarta, in late February.