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MANILA, Philippines – It’s less than 24 hours before history unfolds for Filipinos Jerwin Ancajas and Jonas Sultan.
The two boxers clash for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight belt and the results of the bout’s official weigh-in suggest both have come prepared for the slugfest.
Champion Ancajas (29-1-1, 20 knockouts), who will make his 5th title defense, tipped the scales 0.2 lbs lower than the 115-lb limit at 114.8 lbs while Sultan (14-3, 9 KOs) weighed lighter at 114.4 lbs.
They will square off at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California on Sunday, May 27 (Philippine time) for the first all-Filipino world title fight in 93 years since Pancho Villa defended his flyweight belt against Clever Sencio in 1925.
Ancajas, who has not lost in 6 years, rides on a 16-fight winning streak but remains adamant that facing Sultan will not be a cakewalk, especially since he knows how it feels to contend for a title back when he was still a challenger.
“Hindi ako masyadong kumpiyansa kasi nga pareho kaming Pilipino, alam ko ‘yung damdamin ng Pilipino na gutom sa world championship,” said the pride of Panabo City.
(I am not letting myself to get overconfident since we are both Filipinos, I know how hungry Filipinos are for world championships.)
Sultan, meanwhile, is considered the underdog against his much-experienced foe.
LIVE UPDATES: Jerwin Ancajas vs Jonas Sultan fight for IBF world title
The Zamboanga del Norte slugger will see action for the first time in US soil and his credentials pale in comparison to that of Ancajas, who impressed US audience when he stopped Israel Gonzales in 10 rounds in Texas last February.
Sultan knows it is the biggest fight of his 5-year professional career with a world title at stake but he has done his homework to dethrone Ancajas.
“Pinagaaralan ko ‘yung style niya para makuha ko naman. Mahirap na, kailangan talaga hardwork e,” said Sultan.
(I studied his style so I can adapt to it. I cannot risk it, I really have to work hard for this fight.)
When the dust settles, one thing is sure: a Filipino remains standing tall in the international boxing scene. – Rappler.com
(Media day interview in Fresno, California provided by Alvin S. Go)
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