Indonesian lightweight boxer Hero “The Lion” Tito (29-16-2, 11 KO’s) fell into a coma from blows received during a tough national title fight Sunday, February 27, at the plush Holywings Night Club Gatot Subroto located in Indonesia’s capital of Jakarta.
The 35-year-old Hero Tito (whose birth name is Heru Purwanto) engaged in a hard-fought rumble against fellow Indonesian veteran boxer James Mokoginta (41-18-3, 27 KO’s) in a scheduled 10-rounder for the vacant Indonesian Boxing Association (ATI/IBA) National lightweight title, live on national TV.
The very rough, impressive outcome unfolded around the 2:00 minute mark in chapter seven when a right uppercut thrown by Mokoginta landed devastatingly hard on Tito’s jaw, which sent him down hard and flat on his back.
Hearing the third man’s count, the visibly hurt Tito tried to get to his feet by sitting for a few secs on the mat while listening to the count.
Tragically, Tito collapsed back down, totally unconscious, and fell into a coma.
The prior six rounds were very rough with the seemingly bigger Mokoginta coming-forward, hitting the brave Tito with solid blows.
An experienced fighter, Tito has been an active pro boxer for the last 16 years, in which he has won 29 times in 47 bouts, lost 16 battles, 5 of those defeats by way of knockout.
His last lost by stoppage was a round 6 TKO nearly 3 years ago in Melbourne, Australia.
Being so active through the years, Tito has been a well-known boxer in his beautiful native Land of Indonesia, his difficult situation as well as the result of the operation currently having an unknown outcome.
Tito’s rumble against the 31-year-old Mokoginta was seen by fans as an acceptable match-up between two capable, proven combatants, although Mokokinga was the favorite to come out victorious.
Indonesian matchmaker Rosa Kasuna Jang commented to BoxingScene:
“Tito is currently still unconscious after brain hemorrhage surgery. Sad to see his current situation.”
Tito’s wife and his first child, who is 13-year-old, are waiting and praying at Mitra Keluarga Kelapa Gading Hospital in northern Jakarta.
“I pray and hope that he will come back to health.”
Meanwhile, young Filipino promoter/matchmaker Brico Santig of Highland Boxing Team shared:
“Our sport of boxing is really rough, we all know that, and sometimes sad accidents like this occur in the ring. That’s why referees must be ready to protect all boxers in all fights, everywhere, at all times. I pray to our Lord Jesus for Tito to recover fast.”
Also, Indonesian promoter Nelson E. Nainggolan, the manager of James Mokoginta commented to BoxingScene”
“Me and my boxer feel terribly sad and worry. My boxer James Mokoginta fought Hero Tito, knocking him out. Hero Tito is still in bad shape in the hospital, now unconscious, I hope he comes back to health. We could not feel sadder for what is happening. We keep on praying for Tito. Amen.”
Sunday’s very dramatic event was a production of young promoter Armin Tan, supervised by the Indonesian Boxing Association (IBA/ATI), live on Indonesia’s NET TV.
The few secs leading to the fateful knockout can be seeing in this YouTube video. https://youtu.be/IhN5W7EJqrg
Indonesian amateur and pro boxing associations are currently raising donations to help the devastated family in this site: https://kitabisa.com/campaign/351814
The author, senior columnist Carlos Costa, can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and WhatsApp +639184538152.