Jan Jan Claveria's Manager will Suggest His Fighter Retires
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The owner of the American Boxing Academy in Southern Philippines, Kenny Smith, has made a commendable decision and set a good example for other handlers of fighters to hopefully follow.
After his light flyweight fighter Jan Jan Claveria (12-2, 8 KO’s) was knocked out in what Smith described as “an absolute war” against undefeated Randy Petalcurin who had a record of 6 knockouts in six fights, the manager informed us he is going to retire the young fighter “before he gets seriously hurt.”
Claveria was dropped three times in the fight – once in the 2nd round, once in the 3rd and once in the 4th before he was “rescued by his corner” who judiciously called a halt.
Smith who has a stable of fighters including world rated Ramie Laput and Philippine rated Fernando Lumacad said Claveria “fought well at the club level but has shown an inability to move to the next level.”
He indicated the decision to retire the young fighter is difficult because he has been under Smith’s Asian Boxing Academy for three years and fought on Smith’s amateur team. He said it’s a tough business but indicated he had to make the decision in order not to risk the fighter’s life.
However, if it was any consolation three of Smith’s other fighters on the card all won easily. Undefeated bantamweight Robert Udtuhan improved to 14-0 with 12 knockouts with an eight round decision over Jay-ar Mendoza, while light flyweights Jay Alolod beat Mike Kamungay over four rounds and Jhong Ponteras beat JR Estrimos.
