SPORTS SHORTS 251: JONAS SULTAN DOWNS CARLOS CARABALLO FOUR TIMES ENROUTE TO AN UPSET VICTORY
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 31 Oct 2021
Jonas Sultan scored an upset win over previously undefeated Carlos Caraballo of Puerto Rico. The three judges scored 94-93 in favor of Sultan who sent Caraballo to the floor four times while surviving his own knockdown en route to a surprise victory at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City.
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Sultan knocked Caraballo down twice in the first three rounds. He connected a powerful right that dropped Caraballo early in the second round. Caraballo again kissed the canvas for the second time in the third round.
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Caraballo thumped Sultan with a left hand in the closing seconds of the third round. Sultan in an effort to evade a follow-up right hook, lost balance and touched his glove to the canvas and referee Johnny Callas declared it a knockdown.
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Caraballo found his rhythm in the fourth round hitting Sultan with numerous straight lefts and random right hooks. Sultan seemed dizzy at the end of the round but finished the bell.
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In the sixth round, Sultan recovered and struck a smashing right hand falling Caraballo to the floor for the third time. Caraballo slowly got up and was careful not to be slapped by those finishing punches.
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Caraballo entered round seven for the first time of his career. He defended well Sultan’s onslaught with power flurries of his own. Sultan was bloodied by numerous straight left punches from Caraballo the eighth stanza.
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Caraballo was floored for the fourth time in the ninth round, with Sultan's potent left hook and flicking right hand combination. Caraballo carefully rose up to continue fighting. Sultan continued to throw left hands and right barrages in the tenth round.
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Sultan (18-5, 11 KOs) who landed 85-of-302 punches for 28% while Caraballo (14-1, 14 KOs) connected 95-of-213 punches (45%).
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Sultan and Caraballo both registered 117.6 pounds at the scales during the official weigh-in for their WBO intercontinental title fight.
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Before the fight, Caraballo was an unbeaten prospect with a perfect 14 wins, all by knockout. He has a strong amateur record, and has not went beyond six rounds as a professional before the Sultan tussle. Caraballo was a crowd favorite in New York, where a big Puerto Rican population resides.
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Sultan steps into the ring at the Hulu Theater at the famous Madison Square Garden as a familiar heavy underdog. Per multiple sportsbooks, Sultan is a plus $425 underdog, which means a $100 bet on him wins $425 while a $600 bet on the big favorite Caraballo wins only $100.
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"I'm a fighter, I'm going to break him (down)," said Sultan and he did. He believes he improves a lot under the guidance of Joven Jimenez, manager and also the trainer of Ancajas.
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Sultan said he has gained more experience and now is an expert how to fight southpaws like Caraballo and Ancajas. He improves his footwork also and now has developed a good jab and solid combinations.
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The 25-year-old Caraballo is promoted by fellow Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, and he knocked out Mexican Leonardo Baes in the fourth round on March 25 in his last ring assignment prior to the Sultan fight.
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Sultan claimed a third straight win after beating countryman Salatiel Amit by unanimous decision on August 17, 2019 at the Superdome, Ormoc City and Sharone Carter at the Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, whom he stopped in the seventh round on August 14 in the John Riel Casimero vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux undercard.
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He won over reigning WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero on September 16, 2017 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Cebu City. He lost to Ancajas for the IBF super flyweight title on May 26, 2018 at the Savemart Center, Fresno, California.
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The native of Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte is now a force to reckon with in the bantamweight division where Casimero reigned as WBO bantamweight champion and Nonito Donaire as WBC bantamweight champion.
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Joven Jimenez, Jerwin Ancajas, promoter Brendan Gibbons, and co-manager Junnie Navarro was at Sultan's corner for the win that defined his career, which could catapult him to another world title crack.
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The Brooklyn Nets overtook a 16-point deficit in the second quarter to even their record at 3-3 with a 105-98 comeback win over the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center. James Harden converted 16 of 19 from the free throw and finished with a season-high 29 points, while Kevin Durant scored 22 for the Nets.
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The Los Angeles Lakers bolstered by LeBron James’ return won against the Cleveland Cavaliers, as they limited Cleveland to just 16 points in the fourth to win 113-101. James had 26 points and 8 assists, Westbrook sank 19 points with 6 rebounds and Anthony Davis scored 15 points with 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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