ANCAJAS VS SULTAN: Philippines to keep IBF World Title regardless of fight result Saturday night
By Leo Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 22 May 2018
IBF Junior Bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas (29-1-1, 20 Kos) is set to face fellow Filipino challenger and IBF Intercontinental Junior Bantamweight titlist Jonas Sultan (14-3-0, 9 Kos) Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) at the Savemart Center, Fresno, California, USA. At stake in the 12-round title fight is Ancajas? IBF world crown.
Regardless of the outcome of the title fight, the Philippines will keep the IBF world title as both fighters are representing the Philippines in the Top Rank weekend card.
Ancajas is being promoted by Manny Pacquiao?s MP Promotions while Sultan is representing ALA Promotions of Cebu City, the company that also promotes world titlists Donnie Nietes and Milan Melindo.
Ancajas, who signed with Bob Arum?s Top Rank Promotions before facing Israel Gonzalez in Corpus Cristi, Texas last February is favored to win over the fellow Filipino challenger.
The 26-year-old southpaw from Panabo, Davao del Norte has lost once in his pro career but is now on his 16-fight winning streak and has been successful in defending his IBF Junior Bantamweight crown four times in a row since winning it against McJoe Arroyo in September 2016.
Both fighters are at their prime at 26 but Ancajas has the advantage in both height and reach aside from being a natural southpaw but capable of stance switching when necessary.
Sultan, who hails from Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines is a top challenger and could pull off the upset against Ancajas as he did against fellow Filipino world titlist Johnriel Casimero when they clashed in a non-title fight at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu City last year.
Earlier in 2017, Sultan reigned supreme over the veteran Sonny Boy Jaro via KO in the eighth round at the Angono Sports Complex to retain his IBF Intercontinental Bantamweight title.
While Sultan has the full back up of ALA Promotions in his US debut and first shot at the IBF world title, Ancajas prides himself of being the first world champion under Pacquiao?s MP Promotions.
Pacquiao, who is set to face Lucas Matthysse on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur for the WBA welterweight title, is confident Ancajas will prevail over Sultan to keep his world IBF title Saturday night.
Ancajas is reportedly getting about P6 million in his second fight under Top Rank Promotions according to match maker Sean Gibbons, who also told ABS-CBN News that Ancajas? contract with Top Rank has been stretched to six fights.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Leo Reyes.
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