Unbeaten Indonesian Chris John (48-0-2, 22) may well have the longest unbeaten run of any active fighter but the WBA "Super" champion at Featherweight is still a fighter that many boxing fans have either ignored or simply don't know much about. This weekend those same fans who have given up on John's career will again be ignoring him as he defends his title against the relatively unknown Japanese challenger Satoshi Hosono (23-2, 17) in what could actually be a tougher than expected defense.
Although Hosono is pretty unknown in the west the 29 year old dubbed "Bazooka" is actually a 2-time world title challenger and a former OPBF and Japanese title holder. In fact Hosono's only losses to date have come against genuine world level fighters in Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym and Celestino Caballero, both of those losses coming by decision.
Although Hosono has fought at the world level twice in his 7 and a half year career this will be his first bout outside of his native Japan which could put him at a notable disadvantage (despite how close Indonesia and Japan are geographically) especially considering the history between the two countries. Despite fighting on foreign soil for the first time Hosono's biggest issue will actually be with his opponent who hasn't remained unbeaten in 50 fights for no reason. Hosono has the power to hurt anyone in the division though the big question with him is whether or not he has the skills to land on a fighter like John, if he can this bout will be interesting.
For John there is little to really say that hasn't been said numerous times before. In his homeland he's a boxing god. He's been a world champion for a staggering 9 years, he's unbeaten since he turned professional way back in 1998 and he's shown not only genuine toughness but also very solid boxing ability. He's been able to find a way to beat numerous fighters including Ratanachai Sor Vorapin, Derrick Gainer, Juan Manuel Marquez, Hiroyuki Enoki, Rocky Juarez and Daud Cino Yordan.
Sadly for John he's a victim of his own success. Had he not been such a huge fan favourite in Indonesia on television channel RCTI we may well have seen him leaving his homeland more often, to date however John has fought abroad just 9 times with 5 of those fights taking place in the East (and a further 2 in Australia).
For John, now 33 years old his age may be his downfall though it's also amazing that he's managed to remain at Featherweight for pretty much his whole career. Whilst it's impressive that he's made the same weight for 15 years it's also amazing that he still appears to have plenty of miles left on the clock despite fighting for a jaw dropping 407 professional rounds, though this is in part due to his lack of power and it's over 5 years since he last stopped an opponent.
If Hosono goes in there with the idea that John can't hurt him he'll be making a mistake, John isn't a powerful puncher but he puts his shots together excellently and can shake people up with his fantastic flurries. If he can either time John and land a counter right or trap him and unload with the right he has a chance. If John however is able to box at his own pace this probably will be win #49 for the legendary Indonesian who probably doesn't have long left in the sport.
I know some fans can't be bothered to give John a chance though I'd hope that every boxing fan will get to see John at least once as he's a future hall of famer whether fans like to admit it or not.
Prediction-John by UD
Showing posts with label Indonesia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indonesia. Show all posts
Sunday, 7 April 2013
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Chris John v Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo
Indonesian Featherweight Chris John (47-0-2, 22) not only has the longest active unbeaten record at 49 fights, but he is also one of the longest reigning world champions having held the various forms of the WBA Featherweight title since 2003. This weekend however John seeks to take the unbeaten record of another unbeaten fighter as he faces Thai Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (44-0, 27). Yes you are reading this right, the combined records of these two men reads 91-0-2 (49) and tomorrow morning, they will fight for John's "Super" WBA Featherweight title.
Most fight fans around the world will know something about Chris John. You don't hold various forms of the WBA title for 9 years with out boxing fans knowing who you are, likewise you don't go 49 fights unbeaten with out people reading about you. Though of course despite those stats most haven't really seen much of John, other than perhaps his 2 fights in the US against Rocky Juarez.
A reason for so few fight fans to have actually seen John is due to the fact he's a legendary fight in Indonesia where his is paid very nicely. His payments in Indonesia as the main event are significantly better than what he generally gets paid for fighting away from home, hence his lack of fights in Europe or the US. In fact in a career spanning all the way back to 1998 John has only fought 8 times out of his homeland, 3 times in Japan, twice in Australia, once in Singapore and the two aforementioned bouts with Juarez in the US. However tomorrows fight will see John fighting in Singapore for the second successive fight, again with a huge payment expected.
In terms of his record John is a bit of a strange one. He's been unbeaten since 1998 yet has only faced a number of well regarded opponents. Whilst Juan Manuel Marquez is obviously the stand out name on John's record (who John beat in 2006), John also holds wins over Oscar Leon, Derrick Gainer, Rocky Juarez and fellow Indonesian Daud Cino Yordan (who also fights on the same card).
At his best John was a hugely talented fighter who could move, box, and whilst he couldn't really bang, he knew what to do to stay out of trouble using his legs and long accurate shots thrown in combinations. He had quick hands, he was tough (though knew how to stay out of too much danger) and quick feet. However at 33 years old John is no longer the fighter he once was and the fact he struggled with Stanyslav Merdov just a year ago, despite dropping Merdov, shows signs that John is a fighter who is feeling the effects of a long career. Not only is long in terms of years (14) or fights (49) but also rounds (395). The problem with not being a hard puncher, especially at world level is that 12 rounds take their toll on your body and with John having stopped only 3 of his last 17 opponents, he has run up a lot of miles on the clock.
Whilst John is well known through out the boxing world for various things, it's fair to say that Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo is much less well known, however many view him as having a genuine chance at scoring the upset. The 27 year old Thai turned professional in 2003 and swiftly claimed the WBC Asian Boxing Council Featherweight title, a title he defended well over 20 times!
Although Piriyapino has a long unbeaten record, like John, it's hard to find too many recognisable names on his record however the most recognisable is former world champion Yoddamrong Sithyodthong, however Sithyodthong wasn't the fighter he had once been. Other than that, his record is padded with journeyman, like Jack Asis and Jaime Barcelona which make it almost impossible to really say how good he is.
Like fellow Thai Pungluang Sor Singyu, Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo has a genuinely tough look to him. Whilst their styles are different, they are similar and Piriyapinyo does seem like the sort of fighter who will force an opponent to work hard (like Sor Singyu, who appears to have a better defense). If Piriyapinyo can force the fight to John he really could take advantage of the champions age and wear and tear, however the fact he is slow on his feet does give John a chance to stay away and box.
If John isn't up for this and cannot roll back the clock I really do see the upset. Piriyapinyo will not only be looking to retain his unbeaten record, but will be looking to score by far the biggest win of his career, a win that will really allow him to make some serious money and a chance to show his talent around the world. Whilst John is the favourite, I personally will be going for the upset here.
Prediction: Piriyapinyo UD 12
Most fight fans around the world will know something about Chris John. You don't hold various forms of the WBA title for 9 years with out boxing fans knowing who you are, likewise you don't go 49 fights unbeaten with out people reading about you. Though of course despite those stats most haven't really seen much of John, other than perhaps his 2 fights in the US against Rocky Juarez.
A reason for so few fight fans to have actually seen John is due to the fact he's a legendary fight in Indonesia where his is paid very nicely. His payments in Indonesia as the main event are significantly better than what he generally gets paid for fighting away from home, hence his lack of fights in Europe or the US. In fact in a career spanning all the way back to 1998 John has only fought 8 times out of his homeland, 3 times in Japan, twice in Australia, once in Singapore and the two aforementioned bouts with Juarez in the US. However tomorrows fight will see John fighting in Singapore for the second successive fight, again with a huge payment expected.
In terms of his record John is a bit of a strange one. He's been unbeaten since 1998 yet has only faced a number of well regarded opponents. Whilst Juan Manuel Marquez is obviously the stand out name on John's record (who John beat in 2006), John also holds wins over Oscar Leon, Derrick Gainer, Rocky Juarez and fellow Indonesian Daud Cino Yordan (who also fights on the same card).
At his best John was a hugely talented fighter who could move, box, and whilst he couldn't really bang, he knew what to do to stay out of trouble using his legs and long accurate shots thrown in combinations. He had quick hands, he was tough (though knew how to stay out of too much danger) and quick feet. However at 33 years old John is no longer the fighter he once was and the fact he struggled with Stanyslav Merdov just a year ago, despite dropping Merdov, shows signs that John is a fighter who is feeling the effects of a long career. Not only is long in terms of years (14) or fights (49) but also rounds (395). The problem with not being a hard puncher, especially at world level is that 12 rounds take their toll on your body and with John having stopped only 3 of his last 17 opponents, he has run up a lot of miles on the clock.
Whilst John is well known through out the boxing world for various things, it's fair to say that Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo is much less well known, however many view him as having a genuine chance at scoring the upset. The 27 year old Thai turned professional in 2003 and swiftly claimed the WBC Asian Boxing Council Featherweight title, a title he defended well over 20 times!
Although Piriyapino has a long unbeaten record, like John, it's hard to find too many recognisable names on his record however the most recognisable is former world champion Yoddamrong Sithyodthong, however Sithyodthong wasn't the fighter he had once been. Other than that, his record is padded with journeyman, like Jack Asis and Jaime Barcelona which make it almost impossible to really say how good he is.
Like fellow Thai Pungluang Sor Singyu, Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo has a genuinely tough look to him. Whilst their styles are different, they are similar and Piriyapinyo does seem like the sort of fighter who will force an opponent to work hard (like Sor Singyu, who appears to have a better defense). If Piriyapinyo can force the fight to John he really could take advantage of the champions age and wear and tear, however the fact he is slow on his feet does give John a chance to stay away and box.
If John isn't up for this and cannot roll back the clock I really do see the upset. Piriyapinyo will not only be looking to retain his unbeaten record, but will be looking to score by far the biggest win of his career, a win that will really allow him to make some serious money and a chance to show his talent around the world. Whilst John is the favourite, I personally will be going for the upset here.
Prediction: Piriyapinyo UD 12
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)