JAKARTA - WBA featherweight champion Chris John hopes his success will pave the way for fellow Indonesians to make their mark on the sport, but worries that a lack of professional bouts and scant television coverage is holding them back.
Undefeated John (43-0-2), ranked number one in his weight category by Ring Magazine, is scheduled to defend his title in Bali in April or May against an as yet undecided opponent.
However, it is unlikely that Indonesians will get to watch one of their sporting greats in action as most fights are not broadcast on television.
John believes the lack of coverage discourages his compatriots from pursuing a career in boxing.
"There are many potential boxers in Indonesia. The problem right now is that there are not many fights, especially on TV," John told Reuters by telephone last week.
"They are training but they don't know when they are going to fight. How can you get a good career unless you fight?"
But John's success and that of Filipino Manny Pacquiao, the sport's pound-for-pound number one fighter, have given boxing a boost in Asia and encouraged fans and promoters to look in the region for fresh talent.
"Me, as world champion, it means they (Indonesian boxers) have the opportunity to be world champion, just by working hard."
HOME DECISION
John, who at 30 sees his career lasting another five years, endured a controversial draw with Houston-native Rocky Juarez in his U.S. debut in February last year.
While he did not agree with the decision, he said it had not put him off fighting U.S. boxers or taking fights in the United States.
"Of course I was disappointed (with the draw), because maybe it was a home decision," he said.
"For fighting (in future), it doesn't necessarily have to be in the U.S. I hope to fight in Indonesia, like in (Jakarta suburb) Depok and hopefully I will be fighting in Bali in April or May."
John said he was interested in fighting WBO champion Juan Manuel Lopez or undefeated Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa.
"It would be interesting to fight them. Until now, neither my trainer nor I have heard from them. I do have more experience than Lopez, but then again, in the ring, we won't know the outcome."
Lopez and Gamboa fought on the same card in New York last month and are expected to meet later this year, leaving John slightly out of the picture and considering a move up to super-featherweight.
"I'm not sure now because when I move up I must leave my super champion belt. My trainer has a plan for me to move up a weight and has planned appropriate training," he added.
(Editing by Patrick Johnson and Peter Rutherford)
Source: reuters.com
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