Kitbag

John’s 8th world defence

CHRIS JOHN . . bound up in belts

WBA champion, Chris John is in Jakarta preparing to avenge the only blemish on his record – a four-round technical draw with Jose Rojas of Venezuela.

John defends his featherweight crown against ‘Cheo’ Rojas this Saturday night, March 3, in the Indoor Tennis Stadium, Senayan, Indonesia.

John is unbeaten with 38 wins (20 KOs) alongside the Rojas TD4 in 2004. His Venezuelan opponent, aged 35, has 23-5-1-15 KOs. It’s Rojas’s fourth bid for a world strap.

Featherweight champ John, known as ‘The Dragon’, got into trim for his 40th contest at Harry’s Gym, West Australia, and in the jungle of Banyuwangi, Indonesia. Trainer Craig Christian worked the Dragon with Billy Kickett and Aleks Bajawa: they turn pro on the title card

Chris John, the 27-year-old Indonesian sensation, is coming to be considered an “adopted Aussie.” Chris boxed 284 career rounds since turning professional in June 1998, at an average of 7.28 rounds per fight. That figure is indicative of his volume punching style; many of John’s stoppages have come in the late rounds. Of the 284 rounds, 74 were in world title encounters.

John’s championship record is 6-0-1, 1 KO.

The stubborn Rojas turned pro back in July 1989, but was inactive for almost six years between 1991-1997. He’s amassed 155 rounds as a professional, at an average of 5.16 per contest. Though 0-2-1 in world title challenges, Rojas defeated ex-world champion, John Michael Johnson on points, and kayoed current WBA 122lb world champion, Celestino Caballero in three rounds.