SUMMARY
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Jonas Sultan believes his bout with Carlos Caraballo on Saturday, October 30 (Sunday, October 31, Philippine time) won’t go the full route.
And he’s confident it’s the unbeaten Puerto Rican knockout artist who won’t reach the finish line this time.
“I don’t think so,” Sultan replied when asked by former world champions and now ESPN analysts Tim Bradley and Chris Algieri on whether his battle with Caraballo for the World Boxing Organization intercontinental bantamweight crown will last the full 10 rounds at the Hulu Theater of Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“I like to win by knockout.”
As to what round, Sultan said it depends on the situation. “Maybe past six rounds, or earlier.”
Coming from the meek, silent Sultan, it was a loud warning to Caraballo, being touted as superstar material because of a perfect 14 of 14 knockout wins.
According to Sultan, who’s tagged the big underdog because of an unimpressive 17-5, 11 knockout record, he has studied Caraballo’s previous fights and feels the Boricua isn’t strong enough to withstand his punches because “he’s not a world champion.”
Privileged to have International Boxing Federation super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas as sparring partner, Sultan, who boasts a victory over current World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion Johnriel Casimero in 2017, said it doesn’t matter whether Caraballo is strong because he’s coming after him.
“I’m a fighter, I’m going to break him (down),” said Sultan, who feels he’s gotten better under the guidance of Joven Jimenez, also the trainer of Ancajas.
Sultan said he’s more experienced and now knows how to deal with southpaws like Caraballo and Ancajas. He can also step in and out, and now has a good jab and combinations as well.
Jimenez swore Sultan, a proud Zamboangueno, is in optimum form and predicted a clear victory for the former world title challenger to Ancajas in 2018.
“We have a plan for each round and Jonas should pace himself. He can’t afford to be overconfident or get too excited,” said Jimenez.
According to Jimenez, Sultan told him in Filipino: “There’s no more tomorrow. It’s my time and I would give it all to the death.”
Both Sultan and Caraballo checked in at 117.6 pounds during the official weigh-in on Friday, indicating the hard work they’ve put themselves throughout training camp.
Jimenez expects Sultan to rehydrate to at least 131 pounds by fight night.
Apart from Jimenez, Ancajas, promoter Brendan Gibbons, and co-manager Junnie Navarro will man Sultan’s corner for the career-defining war, which could result in another world title crack for Sultan or instant stardom for Caraballo. – Rappler.com
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