
Two Filipino boxers to make history in Fresno for IBF Junior Bantamweight title
By Leo Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 25 May 2018

Two Filipino boxers are all set to make history at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California, USA on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to dispute the IBF Junior Bantamweight title.
Reigning IBF Junior Bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas (29-1-1, 20 KOs) will put his title on the line against compatriot Jonas Sultan ((14-3-0, 9 KOs), who is the reigning IBF Intercontinental Junior Bantamweight champion.
The 12-round main event is being presented by Bob Arum?s Top Rank Promotions in collaboration with Manny Pacquiao?s MP Promotions and ALA Promotions of Cebu City, Philippines.
It would be a historic fight because it will mark the first time that two Filipino boxers battle for a world championship crown in 93 years. The last time two Filipinos fought for a world championship belt was when Pancho Villa won a unanimous decision verdict against Clever Sencio in 1925 to keep his world flyweight crown.
Veteran boxing analyst and broadcaster Ed Tolentino believes Ancajas is favored to win saying the reigning IBF titlist is a skilled ring tactician who will use his talent and expertise over the relatively inexperienced and unconventional challenger.
?You can see how the fight will go if we go by Ancajas' approach: he will break down Sultan like a math problem and by the middle rounds reduce him into nothing but a simple equation,? Tolentino told ABS-CBN News in a recent interview.
?It is Sultan who is the enigma here: he will try to crowd Ancajas, force to disrupt his rhythm by barging like a drunkard in an otherwise orderly saloon,? he said.
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 tough 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. (Read more: http://philboxing.com/news/story-136624.html)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Leo Reyes.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Tapales bags WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Boston, NY and Minnesota One Win Away; Push Orlando, Detroit and LAL on Brink
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Sasaki Guns for Japan's First World Welterweight Title, Honor as Asia's Best Asian Boxing Nation
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Raga beats Bañares in SBA Philippine Open, pockets ₱400,000 cash prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025OK-C You Next Season, Memphis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Edges Benn in Thrilling Grudge Match for the Ages
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Due to Illness, H2O Syve Withdraws from Tonight’s Bout
Sun, 27 Apr 2025Filipino FM Ivan Travis Cu runner-up in Budapest First Saturday Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Home Teams Rule the Day
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Marlon Tapales Makes Weight for WBC International Title Fight in Gensan
Sat, 26 Apr 2025WELTERWEIGHT ERIC TUDOR TAKES UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER KEVIN JOHSON IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ FROM THUNDER STUDIOS AND LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank vs Benn: Like Father Like Son
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Misses Weight Ahead of Highly Anticipated Benn Clash
Sat, 26 Apr 2025Rafael Espinoza: “I’m Going To Steal The Show On May 4!”
Sat, 26 Apr 2025CO-PROMOTER OF TONIGHT'S ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ SAYS FIRST EVENT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
Sat, 26 Apr 2025