Malaysians must put on `thinking cap' in the ring

19/06/1998

BOXING has a long way to go where medals are concerned and time is against
them following their meek performance in the King's Cup at the Malawati
Stadium in Shah Alam
The King's Cup is boxing's Pre-Games where the Commonwealth Games
facilities are tested as well as provide a stiff avenue for Jaya '98
athletes to show off their progress after training for years.
At the King's Cup the nation's best simply couldn't stand up against
those from Thailand, Indonesia and even Taiwan.
But team manager Abdullah Dulloh Siok said: "Although Sapok Biki and a
few others fell by the wayside, I am still proud of my boys because they
have closed the gap with the Thai and Indonesian boxers.
"A few years ago, we used to lose to them by huge margins but now most
of the Jaya '98 trainees lost by one point only."
Sapok lost 10-14 to Indonesian Damianus Jordan in the semifinals.
It took about 25 years and three World championships for Evander
Holyfield to learn how to think in the ring, Malaysian boxers don't have
that much time.
If they want to make an impact at the Commonwealth Games, they need to
throw planned punches.
Right now they seem to ditch their game plan and, almost gleefully it
seems, slug it out toe-to-toe and depend on miracles of mayhem.
And even if finalists Adnan Jusuh (54kg), Berny Thomas (57kg) and B.
Muruguthevan (60kg) make a clean sweep today, there would be no glory
because only three of the 15 invited countries sent in their entries and
it is a weak field.
On the facilities test, organising secretary Kol Yusof Said is happy
with the arrangements for the Commonwealth Games.
"130,000 tickets have been printed for the eight fight days in September
and when the fans walk into the Malawati Stadium, they will go home with
fond memories of the Commonwealth Games," said Yusof.
Final (Today) - 48kg: Somjit Jong Johar (Thai) v Damianus Jordan
(Indon); 51kg: Hermawan Ballo v Utepon Utapon (Thai); 54kg: Chung Hsien Tu
(Tai) v Adnan Jusuh (Mas); 57kg: Berny Thomas (Mas) v Manus Boonjamnong
(Thai); 60kg: Somchai Nakbalee (Thai) v B. Muruguthevan (Mas); 63.5kg:
Pongsak Hrianthuan Thong (Thai) v Welem Papilaya (Indon); 67kg: Jakpong
Suwunnalird (Thai) v Bora Gomes (Indon); 75kg: Beng Huat Cheng (Mas) v
Sayidkhan Kulamhamad (Thai); 81kg: Shan Che Lo (Tai) v Somsak Janthaporn
(Thai).
(END)