Chris calls off Saudeco bout due to injury

World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight super champion Chris John has again postponed his much-anticipated fight against challenger Fernando Saucedo from Argentina due to injury.

Previously scheduled for July 26 at the Ritz-Carlton Golden Ballroom, Pacific Place, Jakarta, the title bout had to be temporarily canceled after Chris’s camp confirmed the 30-year-old had suffered a rib injury during a sparring session with training partner Roy Tuamanihuruk.

“We just learned of the results at a clinic this morning that he has a broken rib,” assistant manager Tony Priatna said as reported by Antara on Thursday.

Tony said the formal notice of the bout cancellation would be announced in the next few days.

“We are waiting for Pak Hendropriyono as the promoter to announce it formally. Pak Hendropriyono is out of town at the moment,” said Tony, while refuse to speculate when the bout could actually take place.

The fight has now been postponed twice.

Before the fight scheduled July 26, the two were slated to fight in May 22 at Discovery Mall in Kuta, Bali, but Chris called it off after his left arm was injured during sparring in Bali. Chris and his management team and his promoter at the time, Zaenal Thayeb agreed to move the fight from Bali to Jakarta with different organizer.

Cancellations are not new to Chris.

In July 2008, Chris’ fight against his former sparring partner Jackson Asiku of Australia was canceled when Chris failed to show up to the weigh-in. While in July 2009, just four days before Chris’ rematch against Rocky Juarez in Los Angeles, the organizer was forced to cancel the fight after Chris collapsed during a sparring session.

Chris last defended his title in September in 2009 when he outpointed Rocky Juarez of United States at MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

He won the WBA featherweight belt from Japan’s Hiroyuki Enokidi in 2003.

Meanwhile, Antara also reported that Chris’ former promoter, who had withdrawn support after the first cancellation in Bali, said he is ready to take over the bout if the Chris camp allows.

“If his coach-cum-manager Craig Christian has left him, I am ready to take over and to support him,” Zaenal said in Semarang, Central Java.