ANCAJAS-SULTAN FEATS, FACTS AND FIGURES PART II
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 25 May 2018
Jerwin Ancajas will defend his IBF world super flyweight title on Saturday in Fresno against fellow Filipino Jonas Sultan at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California, in this city 355 kilometers away from Los Angeles. The title fight headlines a card shown live around the world on ESPN+ in the United States and on ESPN5 in the Philippines.
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Ancajas is considered as the favorite, but he says he?s not going to be overconfident about the title fight. ?I?m proud that my dream has come true. All of my sacrifices paid off. Sultan is hungry for a world title fight, to prove he is the best. I am confident, but not overconfident, because he?s also Filipino. We are expecting a good fight for the fans," says Ancajas.
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?There are many great fighters in the Philippines, and I am happy that Jonas and myself can share this big stage. We are making history, and I am glad that we can fight to see who is the best," added the Manny Pacquiao promoted champ.
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Former national boxer Delfin Boholst said Ancajas is more comfortable if he trains in higher temperature, as the championn turned off the air-conditioning unit at the fitness center of Courtyard Marriot where he sweats extensively. ?Jerwin really like to train when it?s hot, he perspires more and move better,? said Boholst who visited Ancajas frequently at the Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite.
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He is used to the ventilation and heat of his outdoor boxing ring in Cavite, built inside a 1,500-square meter property bought by Ancajas and trainer Joven Jimenez from his purse of his title defense against Jamie Conlan last year.
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Sultan has been under the guidance of strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson at his Speed of Sport Gym in Torrance, California for almost a month. The biggest breakthrough the team has made is in his nutrition habits, and how to balance him cutting weight while retaining his strength and hydration levels.
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"Jonas used to starve himself before fights to make the weight. He would stop drinking water a week before. This guy couldn't sleep for two weeks leading up to each fight because his head was pounding so hard, he was so dehydrated and malnourished," said Curson who had developed the strength program for the ALA Gym fighters.
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Jonas Sultan said: ?For me, I?m really proud for this fight because I am the one fighting for a championship that is history-making in the Philippines. I am very grateful that I am the one. This is my dream in life, to fight for the world championship. This is very good for me because this is an important opportunity. Jerwin is a good fighter. He has speed and power. I trained hard. I have a really good plan for this fight.?
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Both Ancajas and Sultan have similarities in their life. They were raised in Mindanao by fathers who are both farmers. Ancajas grew up in Panabo City with his father working in the banana to support him and his two siblings. Sultan had his father growing corn in Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte to make ends meet for eight children.
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As reported by Ryan Songalia, Ancajas' mother departed and remarried in General Santos City, while Sultan's mother worked as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia for 13 years. Without their mothers, they took up boxing to escape poverty, and both were influenced by their elder brothers Jesar Ancajas and Dondon Sultan, who also became professional fighters.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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