By Wimbo Satwiko

With former World Boxing Association featherweight super champion Chris John hanging up his gloves, it’s time for the International Boxing Organization lightweight champion Daud “Cino” Yordan to cement his status as Indonesia’s top boxer.

Daud defended his IBO lightweight title for the first time when he defeated Sipho Taliwe of South Africa in Perth on Dec. 6, and promoter Raja Sapta Oktohari has big plans for him.

“Now Chris has retired, my focus is turning to Daud. He’s our world champion now and I have a responsibility to take care of him and improve his career,” Raja said on Thursday.

“I am planning three to four fights for him next year. If everything runs well, including local politics, we may challenge all world champions in the lightweight class, including interim WBA lightweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba.

“Indonesia’s boxing fans always want sensational fights. So, we will give them great fights.”

Beside Gamboa, there are five lightweight champions and potential opponents for Daud: WBA champion Richard Abril of Cuba; World Boxing Council interim champion Omar Figueroa, International Boxing Federation champion Miguel Vazquez of Mexico and World Boxing Organization champion Ricky Burns of the United Kingdom.

“He has lost three times, so he has nothing to lose. He will take any opponent and give his best in every fight,” Raja added.

“In the boxing scene, it’s not all about undefeated records. Take [Philippine] Manny Pacquiao, for instance. He lost twice and he came back as strong as ever.

“Daud has a similar character and we will try to show it.”

While trying to take Daud to the bigger stage, Raja will also be searching for a successor to fill Chris’s shoes as a future Indonesian boxing superstar.

“Chris will always be the world champion in the heart of every Indonesian. But, we need to find new boxers,” he said.

“It won’t be easy, and professional boxing will not get good boxers if there is not already good competition in amateur boxing.

“So, I hope amateur boxing in Indonesia will improve.”