Chris John Update!

Tuesday, June 10 2008

By Jeff Pamungkas (as published in Fightnews.com)

WBA featherweight champion Chris John (41-0, 22 KOs) is now in the midst of serious preparation at Harrys's Gym in Perth, Australia, for his upcoming title bout. The fight will take place July 5th at high altitude Pachuca City, Hidalgo, Mexico, against local hero Michael Lozada (29-4, 22 KOs). John and his team consider the elevation of the fight site to be the biggest problem for the champion. Pachuca City is around 2,426 meters (7,960 feet) above sea level. "We've anticipated it during training by using special respiratory equipment to make a simulation of the real condition of the low oxygen in Pachuca," said John. Indonesian athletes (especially boxers) rarely compete in Mexico. 1960s Asian amateur boxing champion Jotje Waney fought in the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico, but lost in the first round. John is perhaps the second Indonesian boxer to fight in Mexico. Originally, Filipino Donnie Nietes was scheduled to risk his WBO minimumweight title on the same show against Erik Ramirez, but that bout was for some reason scratched.