Mobile Home | Desktop Version




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:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025