Hebi Marapu Joins The Close Distance Duel To Face Phissannu Chimsunthom

Indonesian boxer Hebi Marapu is training on Sasana XBC Tangerang with Canadian coach David John Treharne. (Between/XBC Sportech)

JAKARTA - Indonesian boxer Hebi Marapu has prepared a close-range fight strategy to face Phissannu Chimsunthom, in the race for lightweight titles versions of "WBC Asia Continental" and "IBA Intercontinental" March 4 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Short-range duels have the potential to occur in these matches, based on the posture of the two almost similar boxers, namely Hebi with a height of 164 cm and Chimsunthom 161 cm.

"I try to keep coming in to be able to fight close range. Our posture is not much different. I have also competed with boxers who have the same fighting style as the opponent later," Hebi said by telephone as reported by Antara, Saturday.

The boxer who is familiarly called Yansen also continues to actively take advantage of the time before the match to finalize preparations before leaving for the White Elephant Country on February 18.

For Hebi, the match was his effort to defend the "WBC Asia CONTROL" title which he first secured after defeating Pipat Chaiporn in a fight in Pattaya, Thailand, on July 7, 2022.

Then he returned to duel against Filipino boxer Al Toyogon to fight for the vacant "IBA Intercontinental" title at the Larkin Arena, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on December 25, 2022. However, the result of the match ended in a draw and made Hebi curious about the title.

Hebi admitted that he learned a valuable lesson from the fight against Toyogon. "Obviously I got a lot of experience to be even better. With more thorough preparation, I am optimistic that I can achieve victory," said Hebi.

Since his professional debut level on October 30, 2015, Hebi has recorded a record of 17 wins (12 KOs) and one loss and a draw each.