Boxing body delivers two big punches

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Boxers, coaches and Saba officials with Rahman (fourth left) striking a pose at the MBKS Indoor Stadium recently.

Boxers, coaches and Saba officials with Rahman (fourth left) striking a pose at the MBKS Indoor Stadium recently.

KUCHING: Sarawak’s preparation for the boxing in the upcoming Sukma is expected to receive a tremendous boost when two more coaches commence their duties next month.

The two are local boxing legend and former Commonwealth Games champion Sapok Biki and former WBC champion Jorven Jordan from the Philippines.

Team manager Datuk Rahman Lariwoo said Sapok, who is serving at 1 Artillery Terentak Camp in Malacca, is awaiting a transfer to Sarawak.

“Sapok will move to 1Division Headquarters in Muara Tuang and he is expected to start training our boxers next month,” Sarawak Boxing Association (Saba) president Rahman disclosed.

“Whereas Jorven is set to arrive in Kuching on May 4 with three other Filipino boxers who will serve as sparring partners for our boxers,” he added.

They are Roilo Golez, Sonney Katiandangho and Roldan Bullong.

With Sapok and Jorven, the Sukma squad now boasts a line-up of five coaches which already includes head coach Fred Mandagi from Indonesia, Wilbur Andogan from the Philippines and local Mohd Herman Musa.

Rahman is certain that the addition of two more high calibre coaches will boost Sarawak’s bid for gold medals in Sukma XVIII to be held from July 22-31.

“Sapok was a gold medallist at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games in 1998 and I am very sure that he can motivate and inspire our boxers to throw their best punches in the coming Sukma.

“Jorven also possess a great reputation in the Philippines and he is a former WBC champion who once defeated Manny Pacquiao,” said Rahman.