CHRIS JOHN LOSES SPONSOR, THEN LOSES WORLD TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 07 Dec 2013
John.
WBO featherweight champion Chris John of Indonesia whose abrupt withdrawal of his sponsor threatened the cancellation of his WBA featherweight title defense against IBO champion Simpiwe ?V12? Vetyeka of South Africa in a unified title bout at Metro City in Perth, Australia, on Friday went through with the bout but quit in the 6th round.
Boxingscene.com reported that Vetyeka dominated the Indonesian champion and put the pressure on him in the 5th round, continued to batter him in the 6th before dropping him in the dying seconds of the round forcing John?s corner to tell referee Gustavo Padilla he was in no position to continue.
It was John?s first defeat after 48 wins and 3 draws with 22 knockouts. The new champion Vetyeka who unified the IBO and WBA 126 pound belts, improved to 27-2 with 15 knockouts.
Earlier, John said ?I have prepared well for the fight. I?ve gotten my techniques down, I?m physically ready and I have been sparring well. I have been training really hard the past two months. I just have to maintain my weight.?
John, nicknamed ?The Thin Man? was making the 19th defense of his title which included a win over Mexico?s Juan Manuel Marquez.
In an undercard fight, fellow Indonesian IBO lightweight champion Daud Yordan won a twelve round split decision over Shipo ?Tsunami? Taliwe, also from South Africa.
The fight card was once under threat of being canceled due to the abrupt withdrawal of the fight?s main sponsor in the wake of strained political relations between Australia and Indonesia.
Chris? manager, Craig Christian, said he was concerned with the issue. ?We are currently looking for a new sponsor for him [Chris],? Christian said.
Jakarta?s Tempo newspaper reported that Golden Eagle Coffee decided to step out from the sponsorship on Monday, causing Chris John to have USD250,000 short. With the sponsor withdrawal, Chris John re-opened sponsor bidding worths US$100,000, closing on December 3 at 12:00 Perth time.
John was quoted as saying "I have spent years practicing in Australia and I was always welcomed here. I wish both nations can resolve the political conflict and return to cooperation."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
The Past Week in Action 21 April 2025: Fundora KOs Badillo, Retains Undisputed Belts; Smith UD Germain; Kovalev Returns with a Win
By Eric Armit, Tue, 22 Apr 2025Bantamweight Anthony Garnica Scores TKO Against Aston Palicte to Remain Undefeated
Tue, 22 Apr 2025Higher Seeds New York, Denver Fall in Playoffs Second Games to Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 22 Apr 2025Young Gildo: The Baguio Bearcat
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 22 Apr 2025Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina places solo runner-up in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open in Thailand
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 22 Apr 2025Female Amateur Boxing Star Sar’ai Brown-El Signs with Split-T Management
Tue, 22 Apr 2025Apolinario to fight Hu in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 21 Apr 2025Warriors Shoot Down Rockets, 95-85 as Celtics, Cavaliers, Thunder Take Care of Business
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 21 Apr 20252025 USA Boxing International Open Finalized on Saturday
Mon, 21 Apr 2025Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 21 Apr 2025Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
Sun, 20 Apr 2025