Determined To Bring Tibo Monabesa To World Champion, Promoter Armin Tan: I Want A Major Like WBC

Illustration - Armin Tan (left) receiving an award from WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman (right) as the best promoter in Asia-Pacific in 2019 (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Boxing promoter and trainer Armin Tan has a strong determination to lead Indonesian boxer Tibo Monabesa to become world champion.

The man who is in the ship equipment business told reporters on Saturday that he wanted Tibo not only to have a championship title, but also to win the WBC lightweight flyweight (48.9 kg) world championship belt.

Armin Tan's desire is not playing games, because to achieve this goal Tibo is even willing to give up the IBO world title.

"The IBO title is not released, but it is released before playing a mandatory match, because in my opinion the IBO title is nothing. I want a major title like WBC," said Armin Tan as quoted by Antara.

Armin Tan's dedication to boxing cannot be separated from the story of the past. He is a person who has big dreams to become a professional boxer. But his dream at that time faded with the crush of the family economy.

The world is spinning. Armin Tan is now successful as a businessman. With an affluent life, he wants to be more dedicated to the sport of boxing. "So my boxers today are extensions of my arm, those who embody old ideals," he said.

He also talked about the initial expectations of the sport of boxing. "Boxing looks glamorous, lots of money, rich people are involved. When I came to Pertina (Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association) Tangerang, I was surprised," said Armin Tan, describing that boxing was not in accordance with what was previously thought.

"In 2012 I met Tibo, a boxer who is not used in amateurs. His body is thin, his hands are straight. Tibo's first payment at that time was Rp. WBC as the best promoter in Asia-Pacific.

Not only limited to providing facilities and infrastructure for boxers, Armin Tan's determination to bring Indonesian boxers to world titles was proven by collaborating with various parties, including Probellum, a boxing promoter founded by Richard Schaefer.

Richard Schaefer is a former CEO of Golden Boys Promotios which is the promotion company of world boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya.

Now, Armin Tan's ambition to lead Tibo to become a champion is getting closer to reality, considering that the 31-year-old boxer currently ranks third in the WBC light flying division.

Tibo is currently also the holder of the WBC International title which he won when he defeated Filipino boxer Toto Landero at Balai Sarbini Convention Hall, Jakarta, April 14, 2021.

The boxer with a record of 21 (8 KOs)-1-2 is scheduled to fight again with boxer from the Philippines Jayson Vayson at Holywings Club, Gatot Subroto, Jakarta, February 27 2022. The match is Tibo's step closer to the championship ladder.

Tibo is in third place in the WBC under boxers with Kenshiro Teraji (Japan) and Hekkie Budler (South Africa) as challengers to the WBC world title holder Masamichi Yabuki from Japan. In other words, Armin Tan's hope to bring Tibo Monabesa is now closer to reality.