BATANGAS CITY, Philippines – Jonas Sultan’s dream of becoming a world boxing champion is within his grasp. And he will do anything to achieve that goal even if a fellow Filipino stands in his way. 

Sultan (14-3, 9 knockouts) seeks to end compatriot Jerwin Ancajas’ (29-1-1, 20 KOs) reign when they square off for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight crown at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California on May 27 (Philippine time). 

Although some frown upon the fact that two Filipinos will clash for a world title in nearly a century, the 26-year-old doesn’t seem to mind. 

Pancho Villa defended his flyweight title against Clever Sencio in the last all-Filipino world title bout  in 1925. 

“Para sa akin, itong laban na ito, napakaimportante sa isang buhay ng boksingero dahil ito ang pinapangarap ng isang boksingero – na makalaban sa isang world title fight,” said Sultan, who will be seeing action for the first time in US soil.

(For me, this fight is very import in a boxer’s life because this is what boxers have been dreaming of – to fight for a world title.) 

“Opportunity para sa akin kasi ito ‘yung hinahangad ko dati pa na nag-umpisa ako sa boxing, talagang ‘yung focus ko, nasa world title fight.” 

(This is an opportunity for me because this is what I have been aiming for since I started boxing. My focus is on a world title fight.) 

Sultan’s path to the world title won’t be a walk in the park, though.

The pride of Zamboanga del Norte faces a daunting task of taking down Ancajas, a proven champion who has defended his crown 4 times. 

Ancajas has won 16 straight fights, with all but one ending through stoppage. He suffered his lone loss 6 years ago. 

Yet Sultan, who defeated countryman and two-division world champion John Riel Casimero via unanimous decision last September to become the mandatory challenger for the IBF belt, remains unfazed. 

“Ito talaga ‘yun, hindi ko talaga sasayangin, ibibigay ko talaga lahat ng makakaya ko sa laban.” 

(This is it, I will not waste this oppotunity and I will give it my all in this fight.) – Rappler.com

(Media day interview in Fresno, California provided by Alvin S. Go )