By Ian S Palmer
The first all-Filipino world title fight in 93 years will be taking place this Saturday, May 26th as IBF Jr. Bantamweight Champion Jerwin Ancajas defends his title against Jonas Sultan. The 12-round bout will be taking place at the Selland Arena in Fresno, California and can be seen live in the U.S. on ESPN+ while fans in the UK can catch it on Sky Sports. Ancajas was last in the ring in February when he stopped Israel Gonzalez in the 10th round. Sultan last fought in September when he beat John Riel Casimero by a 12-round unanimous decision.
Ancajas is a 26-year-old southpaw who enters the ring at 29-1-1 along with 20 Kos. He won the title via a unanimous decision over McJoe Arroyo in September, 2016. He’s defended it four times against Jose Alfredo Rodriguez, Teiru Kinoshita, Jamie Conlan and Gonzalez all by stoppage. The champ is 5-feet-6-inches tall with a 66.5-inch reach and has boxed 171 rounds since turning pro in 2009. Before that, he enjoyed a fine amateur career by going 90-5. He’s also won the WBO Asia Pacific Youth Super Flyweight Title, Philippines Luzon Professional Boxing Association Bantamweight Title and the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title.
Ancajas is a skilled all round boxer and has plenty of power in his fists with a current knockout ratio of 65 per cent. He also has a solid chin and isn’t shy about letting his hands go. He shouldn’t have a problem fighting in the States since he’s 8-0 with 7 Kos while boxing outside of his homeland. He’s not perfect though as Ancajas was beaten via a 10-round majority decision by Mark Anthony Geraldo in March of 2012 and was held to a four-round technical draw by Ervin Yamo in May, 2010. That fight had to be stopped due to a cut eye suffered by Ancajas which was caused by an accidental headbutt.
Sultan is also 26 years old and climbs through the ropes with a record of 14-3 along with 9 Kos. He turned pro in 2013 and has boxed 101 rounds after a short amateur career which saw him go 8-4. Sultan has won a couple of regional titles since turning pro which were the Philippines Games & Amusements Board Super Flyweight Title and the IBF Inter-Continental Super Flyweight Title. Sultan stands 5-feet-4-inches tall with an unlisted reach, which gives him a two-inch height disadvantage against Ancajas.
Sultan’s got decent power with a current knockout ratio of 53 per cent, but he’s not really known as a knockout artist by any stretch of the imagination. He’s already been beaten three times at the hands of Go Onaga by a 10-round unanimous decision in November, 2015, a six-round split decision to Jonathan Francisco in June, 2014 and a six-round split decision to Rolando Servania in July of 2013. Sultan owns a good chin though as he’s never been stopped. His biggest wins have been against former world champions Sonny Boy Jaro and John Riel Casimero. Sultan’s fought just three times outside of the Philippines and has gone 2-1 with 2 Kos.
Prediction…
Ancajas is the real deal as he’s a fine boxer with good power. On the other hand, Sultan also has some skills, but not as much power and lacks the big fight experience of the champion. I’m expecting Ancajas to successfully defend his title for the fifth time here.
