By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBA featherweight champion Chris “The Dragon” John (42-0-1, 22 KOs)had to undergo minor surgery at the MMC Hospital which is located next to the Australian Embassy in Jakarta on his return from Tokyo where he retained his title in a hard-fought battle against the rugged, previously undefeated Japanese Hiroyuki Enoki (27-0, 19 KOs).
A press release issued by John’s management team said doctors needed more than two hours to operate on wounds under and aboce his left eye which needed as many as 70 stitches, which served as a reminder of just how tough the fight was although the judges scorecards reflected a lopsided decision.
Indications are that it will take at least one month to recover.
John admitted that the wounds were caused by legitimate punches but also alleged there were a couple of head-butts.
He said that the previously undefeated Japanese whose left eye was completely shut after a hard right in the final round was as tough as Juan Manuel Marquez from whom John won the title on March 4, 2006.
In that title fight Marquez was penalized twice for low blows in rounds 10 and11 by referee Guillermo Perez Pineda and lost what the Mexican claimed was a hometown decision.
