Can Jonas Sultan Spoil Puerto Rican Boxing Resurgence Vs Caraballo?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 30 Oct 2021
Caraballo (L) and Sultan (R) during Friday's weighin in New York.
Puerto Rico is enjoying a boxing resurgence over the last two years producing four world champions and the promising likes of knockout sensations Edgar Berlanga and Xander Zayas, among other prodigies.
This weekend, it will get to showcase three more of its up and coming pugilist in Top Rank and Boxeo Telemonde promotions featuring Josue Vargas, Carlos Caraballo and Miguel Angel Marrero against fittingly, Mexican and Filipino opponents in two separate venues.
Vargas will go up against Mexico's Jose Chon Zepeda in what could be a world super lightweight eliminator while Caraballo takes on Filipino Jonas Sultan at the Hulu Theater in New York City.
Meanwhile Marrero will square off against Mexican Victor Betancourt Friday night, Oct. 29, at the Silver Spur Arena in Kissimmee, Florida headlining a Boxeo Telemundo telecast which the winner getting into world lightweight contender status
Vargas vs Zepeda and Marrero vs Betancourt would be another chapter in the continuing storied rivalry between Puerto Rican and Mexican fighters.
On the other hand, Caraballo and Sultan promises to add further to the budding rivalry between Puerto Rican and Filipino boxers that date back to the days of Carlos Ortiz and Gabriel Flash Elorde.
In recent years, Puerto Rican and Filipino fighters had figured in hotly disputed world title fights including Ivan Calderón vs Rodel Mayol 1&2, McJoe Arroyo vs Jerwin Ancajas and Wilfredo Mendez vs Vic Saludar, most of which ended up in favor of the Boracuan fighters.
Sultan hopes to overturn this trend and spoil this current Puerto Rican boxing surge by pinning Caraballo his first pro defeat, thereby putting himself in the mix in the heavy loaded bantamweight division where three other Filipinos namely Nonito Donaire, Johnriel Casimero and Reymart Gaballo are holding world title belts at WBC and WBO.
Sultan, 29 years old with a record of 17-5, 11 KOs is just 3-2 in his last five fights losing to Ancajas in an IBF title shot in 2018 and then to Athenas Dumezweni in South Africa a year later. But he holds wins over Casimero in 2017 and stopped Sonny Boy Jaro and Sharone Carter in his last two fights. He is a tough fighter, never been stopped and seems the right foe for Caraballo who has not gone past six rounds in his wins. Caraballo has won all his previous 14 pro bouts, all by knockout.
Boxing in Puerto Rico is considered a major sport, having produced more amateur and professional world champions than any other sport in its history. It currently has four reigning world titleholders namely Wilfredo Mendez, McWillilams Arroyo, Jonathan Bomba Gonzalez and Shakur Stevenson whose father is Puerto Rican.
According to Wiki, Puerto Rico ranks fifth worldwide between countries with most boxing world champions, and in year 2004, became the first country to have, at least, one world champion in every single one of the 17 current boxing weight divisions throughout the history. This number also places the island nation in the global lead in terms of champions per capita.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Two Pacquiaos on same card?
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 02 Dec 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 4: 1924 OLYMPICS AT PARIS, FRANCE
By Maloney L. Samaco, Tue, 02 Dec 2025Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed UTP National Team Shines at 40th Penang Open, Captures Multiple Titles
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 02 Dec 2025WBC 63th Annual Convention Opens in Bangkok
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 02 Dec 2025Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor closing out a strong 2026
Tue, 02 Dec 2025USA Boxing Announces Partnership with Xempower USA
Tue, 02 Dec 2025THE RING 6: TEOFIMO-SHAKUR SET FOR JANUARY SHOWDOWN IN NEW YORK
Tue, 02 Dec 2025Undefeated Middleweight Dante Kirkman Set to Return December 11 in Costa Mesa
Tue, 02 Dec 2025Dejon Farrell Francis Turning Things Around
Tue, 02 Dec 2025WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David 'The Mexican Monster' Benavidez Excited About History-Making Cinco De Mayo Showdown with Gilberto Ramirez
Tue, 02 Dec 2025PPV.COM RETURNS TO THE RING LIVE STREAMING ALL-ACTION TITLE TILT ISAAC "PITBULL" CRUZ vs. LAMONT ROACH, JR
Tue, 02 Dec 2025Llover Eyes Winner of Salas-Ngexeke IBF Title Duel in Mexico
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 01 Dec 2025Jimuel draws in pro debut
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 01 Dec 2025Kevin Durant sets new NBA record
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 01 Dec 2025LAZARO LORENZANA CAPTURES WBC REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE OVER LUIS ARIAS
Sun, 30 Nov 2025