Two Indonesian Boxers Will Defend The Champion Belt In Thailand, Next Weekend

JAKARTA - Two Indonesian boxers, Jon Jet and Ilham Leoisa have ambitions to defend the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental championship belt when they return to the ring on August 26 in Bangkok, Thailand.

In the super bantam class, Jon will face Woraweth Nawanetinong who has an unbeaten record in five fights, while Chan Sala will be Ilham's challenger in the welterweight.

XBC Sportech CEO Urgyen Rinchen Sim said the fight to defend the championship belt is important so that Indonesia's name remains on the WBC Asian Boxing Council list.

"So far, many Indonesian boxers have been able to win the championship belt but then the title was released for nothing because they never defended it. We don't want that to happen to our boxers. So, we continue to strive so that Jon and Ilham can defend their title so that Indonesia's name is still on the list of champions at the WBC Asian Boxing Council," Sim said.

Jon and Ilham won the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental belt in October 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand. Jon won the fourth round of TKO over Wicha Phuaikhao while Ilham brought down Poramin Saengpak also in the fourth round.

Although his opponent is only 18 years old, Jon must be wary of Woraweth. This Thai boxer is unbeaten in five fights. In addition, Woraweth is the nephew and student of boxer who defeated Ellyas Pical in 1987, Khaosai Galaxy.

"With the support of the coach and the sports science team, I am always ready to face anyone. They have analyzed the opponent and prepared a fighting strategy. I am very ready to defend the title that I now have," said Jon.

Ilham will also face tough opponents. Chan Sala has a record of seven wins (3 KOs) and three defeats (3 KOs). Based on Boxrec data, this 25-year-old boxer is ranked third in Thailand.

"We are quite difficult to get the recording of Chan's match. But with the training program given by coach Domi and David, I believe I can defend the title," said the boxer with the rank of soldier of one TNI-AU.

Together with Emanuel Nahak, Jon and Ilham have undergone a training program under the supervision of coach David John Treharne and Dominikus Mbawo since the first week of August. They left for Bangkok on Sunday (20/8).

Apart from Jon and Ilham, Emanuel will also fight against Thai boxer Pakhum Tawinram in additional parties in the super featherweight. The event will also feature Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech, who has won world titles in four different classes.