By Putra Permata Tegar

Jakarta - International Boxing Organization lightweight world champion Daud Yordan hopes to revive his career with a bout against Filipino Ronald Pontillas at the Pangsuma Sports Hall in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Saturday.

The two will vie for the interim World Boxing Organization lightweight title, which will provide Daud with the stepping stone to challenge the WBO lightweight world champion, Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico.

The match is Daud’s chance to rise to a bigger stage in the world of boxing, said promoter Raja Sapta Oktohari.

“First of all, I want to apologize for Daud’s year-long absence from the ring. We were unable to arrange matches for him for several reasons,” Raja said. Daud’s last fight was on Dec. 6, 2013 against Sipho Taliwe of South Africa.

“We want [Saturday’s] fight to be a momentum for his career. We have big plans for Daud; if he wins, we plan to make him WBO world champion by 2015.

“He may need around four fights to  become the number one contender and take down the current champion.”

Raja added that he aims to organize more fights in several cities around the country next year.

“Daud may not be the world champion yet but it would still be possible to hold the fight in Indonesia. It depends on the outcome of our talks with the WBO.”

Daud was scheduled to face Taliwe in a rematch in South Africa this month.

The bout was canceled due to the ongoing outbreak of the Ebola virus disease in the western part of the continent.

Despite having gone without a fight for a year, Daud has been allowed to keep his IBO title — until the organization reaches a decision on the matter.

“We talked to both the IBO and WBO about [Saturday’s] fight and Daud’s plan to pursue the WBO title. Until now, he’s still the IBO world champion. But, I don’t know what they will decide after the fight,” Raja said.

“We’re not bothered and whatever happens, we will stick to our plan.”