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CEBU CITY, Philippines – There were more than a few boxing fans who had no idea who Jonas Sultan was when he stepped into the ring with Johnriel Casimero on Saturday, September 16, in a meeting of Filipino road warriors with a number one ranking at stake.
Most probably assumed Sultan was more fodder for Casimero on his way to a world championship shot in a third weight class, but Sultan had other ideas. In the biggest fight of his young career, Sultan was in total control throughout, neutralizing Casimero with his jab and counterpunching and backing him up with impunity.
“I just adjusted my style with Casimero because he is very stylish and very hard to hit,” said “Zorro” Sultan, who won a unanimous decision at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City. “My strategy is more jabs and hooks so I can hit him in the face.”
The win made Sultan (14-3, 9 knockouts) the top-rated contender for the IBF junior bantamweight title currently held by Jerwin Ancajas, also a Filipino, which means they could be on a collision course for the first Filipino vs Filipino world title fight since 1925.
Sultan, in his proudest moment as a boxer, was humble about the challenge he’d face against Panabo City’s Ancajas (27-1-1, 18 KOs), who has been champion for a year now with two defenses under his belt.
“Maybe that will happen some day, Jerwin Ancajas. But I need more practice and hard training because Jerwin Ancajas is a very good fighter, he’s a strong fighter and strong power puncher also,” said Sultan, 25, of Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte.
Sultan’s promoter Michael Aldeguer says it would take some time for the mandatory challenge to take place because Ancajas had faced a mandatory in his last fight this past July when he knocked out the overmatched Teiru Kinoshita on the Pacquiao-Horn undercard.
“I still have to talk to the IBF,” said the ALA Promotions president Aldeguer, who adds that he expects negotiations for a mandatory fight to open in January or February.
“We’re so proud of him but we’ve always believed in Sultan,” said Aldeguer. “He’s a guy that just needed the breaks. We saw his determination, he’s always focused and he’s hard to fight, he’s skillful, he knows how to read the opponent and he has the heart. And that’s very important.”
Despite Ancajas’ superior experience – Sultan turned pro just 4 years ago after a brief amateur career – trainer Edito Villamor believes his fighter would be a live underdog against Ancajas. “We have a big chance because Sultan is a tough fighter,” Villamor said.
Sultan’s performance – plus his demeanor – also earned the respect of Ancajas’ manager/trainer Joven Jimenez.
“He deserved to be a mandatory challenger and he is a very good boxer that can bring excitement to fights,” said Jimenez.
“He is very humble. Me and Jerwin like him.”
There’s a lot of time between now and the next mandatory notification, and Ancajas has been linked to a challenge by WBO junior bantamweight titleholder Naoya Inoue of Japan, who wants to face the Filipino in unification bout in December.
“If Inoue wants the fight, we are ready,” said Jimenez. “Jerwin is always ready for him.”
For now, Sultan has a thanksgiving celebration to prepare for in the province. – Rappler.com
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