Wimbo Satwiko

Chris John took time out from training to enjoy a night out at Plaza Semanggi on Friday. He faces Rocky Juarez on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas. (JG Photo)

Chris John Jets Off to Perth Ahead of Vegas Showdown

With his Las Vegas debut on the horizon, Chris John hopes his third time in the United States will be more than lucky.

The World Boxing Association featherweight champion will face Rocky Juarez at the MGM Grand on Sept. 19 as part of the undercard to the Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. bout.

Las Vegas will be Chris’s third locale in the United States. After fighting to a contentious draw in Houston, Juarez’s hometown, in February, the fighters were set for a rematch in Los Angeles before Chris bowed out with oxygen toxicity syndrome.

With a third chance to score his first victory on American soil, Chris said he knows Juarez will not make things easy as he tries to win his first championship belt.

“Juarez is a smart boxer. I’m sure he will prepare himself better this time,” Chris said in Jakarta on Sunday. “I’ve been preparing myself even harder because I have to get a convincing win this time around.”

Doctors in Los Angeles said Chris had to rest for at least four weeks before getting back in the gym. Paying the medical professionals little heed, he returned to Indonesia and started workouts again in his hometown of Semarang, Central Java, three weeks after collapsing during a prefight sparring session.

While the fighter known as The Dragon was recovering, his management team negotiated with Golden Boy Promotions and secured a rematch against Juarez.

Chris said the circumstances behind his illness were still a mystery.

“I don’t know how I got the illness. It might be because of the training intensity or the weather,” he said. “I will get a thorough medical examination in Perth.”

After a brief stopover in Jakarta, which included a night out at Plaza Semanggi, the 29-year-old fighter departed for Perth, Australia, on Sunday to continue his training at Harry’s Gym, which is owned by his manager, Craig Christian. He is scheduled to train there for six weeks before flying to Las Vegas.

Christian said his gym in Perth was a natural choice as it had better facilities.

“In Perth, we have everything we need. That’s why we opt for Perth rather than Jakarta,” he said. “The problem is it’s cold in Perth right now, so we may be back in Jakarta for a week to get acclimated before we fly to Las Vegas.”

Christian also echoed Chris’s thoughts about expecting a tough fight in Las Vegas. He also said winning by knockout may be necessary.

“It will be harder than the last one. Juarez is pretty smart. Not to mention, there will be thousands of Mexicans cheering for him in Vegas,” he said. “We’re working on Chris’s punch. Chris will knock him out in Round 10.”

Chris and Juarez fought to a 114-114 draw after 12 rounds in Houston on Feb. 28, though ringside media scored the fight 116-112 in favor of the Indonesian fighter.

If Chris can defeat Juarez and defend his WBA featherweight championship for the 12th time, Christian already has something in his mind for his boxer’s next fight.

“I guess the next is Rafael Marquez. The Marquez brothers are considered as the best boxing brothers,” he said. “Chris defeated Juan Manuel, so it’s good if he can beat both of them.”

Chris beat Juan Manuel by unanimous decision in his fifth title defense at Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, in March 2006.

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