Indonesian boxer Christ receives WBA award

Indonesian world featherweight champion Chris John has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement designation by the World Boxing Association (WBA) due to his consistency over the past nine years, a media reported here on Tuesday. The boxer known as Christ, "The Dragon", John received the honor during the WBA Gala Dinner in Panama City on Feb. 29. "I am extraordinarily honored to be presented with the award which is an achievement that is not only mine, but also belongs to my team and the people of Indonesia," Chris was quoted by the Jakarta Post as saying. Chris said on Monday that he would still fight on to achieve more in the future. Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng said that he hoped the award would have a favorable influence for all boxers in the country. Chris has successfully retained his title 15 times. The Banjarnegara, Central Java-born boxer attained the title for the first time in 2003 when he outwitted Colombian Oscar Leon in Bali. Since then, the 32-year-old Chris has been fighting various boxers, including American Rocky Juarez at the MGM Grand Resort and Casino in Nevada in 2009 to grab his super featherweight title. From a total of 48 bouts, the father of two daughters has won 46 (22 KOs) fights and two draws. Chris also collected a gold medal from the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Jakarta in 1997 and a bronze medal from the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur in 2001.