MANILA, Philippines – For International Boxing Federation (IBF) world super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, defending his belt for the 5th time is one thing. But doing it against his countryman is another. 

Ancajas (29-1-1, 20 knockouts) will be putting his belt at stake as he faces fellow Filipino Jonas Sultan (14-3-0, 9 KOs) on May 26 (May 27 in the Philippines) in Fresno, California and he couldn’t help but have mixed feelings. 

“Minsan, maiisip mo na paano ka magsasaya kung kapwa mo Pilipino ‘yung nakalaban mo, halimbawa kung mananalo ka, paano ka magsasaya?” Ancajas told Rappler during his send-off lunch hosted by ESPN5 Live Boxing. 

(Sometimes, you wonder how would you celebrate if you win against a fellow Filipino.)

But once he steps on the ring, Ancajas, who will be fighting for just the second time in US soil, will set aside everything, noting that their bout, after all, is just boxing. 

A win over Sultan could place Ancajas in a title unification bout against World Boxing Association super flyweight champ Khalid Yafai, who will try to defend his belt against David Carmona on the same card as the Ancajas-Sultan duel.

“Pero iniisip ko talagang sports lang, ganoon ang mundo ng boxing, noong una naman nagsimula ako, mga Pinoy din naman ang nakalaban ko.”

(But I always think that it is just sports, that’s how it is in the boxing world and when I started in boxing, I also fought Filipinos.)

The 26-year-old has not fought a Filipino since 2015 when he scored a first-round stoppage against Paul Apolinario in Davao City.

After that bout, Ancajas’ career skyrocketed as he nabbed the IBF title with a unanimous decision win over McJoe Arroyo in 2016. He successfully retained his crown for 4 straight times, the last 3 via technical knockout. 

This time, it will not just be a simple Pinoy-vs-Pinoy clash.

The Ancajas-Sultan bout is the first all-Filipino world title fight since world champion Pancho Villa defended his flyweight title against Clever Sencio with a 15-round unanimous decision win in 1925. 

With the two fighters making history, “The Pretty Boy” feels it is a testament to the level of Filipinos in the international boxing stage. 

“Natutuwa nga din ako na Pinoy ‘yung makakalaban ko sa world championship kasi parang naisip ko na parang umaangat na talaga ‘yung boxing ng Pilipinas,” said Ancajas.

(I am glad that I am facing a fellow Filipino for a world championship fight since it means that boxing is rising here in the Philippines.)

Sultan has been training in the US for a week now while Ancajas will fly there on May 15. 

Is Ancajas looking to extend his stoppage streak? Not really. 

“Kung ano ‘yung plano ni coach Joven (Jimenez) sa ring, ‘yun ‘yung gagawin namin na hindi magmamadali talaga,” said Ancajas.

(Whatever coach Joven’s plan is, we will follow it. We don’t want to rush it.)

“Alam naman namin kung gaano din katibay si Sultan, gaano kapreparado, lalo ngayon, nandoon na sila sa US, talagang determinado sila manalo.”

(We all know how tough Sultan is and how prepared he is. He is already in the US and we can see how determined he is to win.) – Rappler.com