By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBC featherweight champion Injin Chi has suffered a hamstring injury while jogging and his scheduled mandatory title defense against No.1 contender Rocky Juarez who is handled by Shelly Finkel, manager of Manny Pacquiao, has been called off.
Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today learned that as a result Juarez will fight another contender for the interim title with the winner required to defend the crown against Injin Chi later this year.
The South Korean champion who in 2000 battled Erik "El Terrible" Morales over twelve furious rounds will have to rest for at least one month before beginning light training. The injury was a major disappointment to Injin Chi and his manager Kusung Lee who were eagerly looking forward to the chance to put on an impressive showing in the US.
The Injin Chi battle against undefeated Juarez was expected to be one of the most competitive fights so far this year and the Korean was scheduled to fly to the Philippines to continue training at the famed ALA Boxing Gym of respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer in Cebu before flying to the US.
