By Nick Giongco
FRESNO, California – Mandatory challenger Jonas Sultan swears reigning champion Jerwin Ancajas is the clear favorite in their fast approaching world title showdown this Saturday night at the Save Mart Center.
But Sultan admits their 12-round battle for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight crown will boil down to one thing: execution of game plan.
“Sa diskarte magkakatalo (strategy will decide the fight),” said Sultan, 26, on Tuesday as he dissected his much-awaited showdown that will mark the first time in almost 100 years that two Filipinos are facing off in a world title fight.
Sultan likewise maintains that Ancajas, 27, has the superior set of skills but he is counting on other things to enable him to be at par with the southpaw champion.
“Binabantayan ang pagkain ko (My diet is being carefully watched),” said Sultan, stressing that while he had been put on a diet program before, the present setup puts more attention to detail.
Just three lbs over the division limit of 115 (lbs), Sultan will receive pointers from brothers Edmond and Edito Villamor when the bell rings.
To reinforce the think tank, Sultan also brought along three-division champion Donnie Nietes, known for his ring generalship.
“Magaling talaga si Jerwin pero ginagawa naming ang lahat para manalo (Jerwin is really good but we are doing our best to win),” said Sultan, who earned the right to fight for the title following his upset victory over ex-world champion Johnriel Casimero.
“(Jerwin is a) distance fighter and you don’t want to get caught by his straight when you are coming in,” Sultan said.
