JONAS Sultan’s world title hopes may have to wait a bit longer after he lost to International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight king Jerwin Ancajas by unanimous decision in an all-Filipino world championship fight that hasn’t been done in 93 years. Sultan put on a gallant stand against a skillful Ancajas but came up short on the scorecards, which was all in favor of the champion, 119-109, 119-109 and 117-111. The fight took place in the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California.
“I was thinking of a knockout in that fight and that was my mistake. I lost focus. I wasn’t relaxed,” Sultan told SunStar Cebu. “I was looking for a knockout that’s why I was very aggressive because I didn’t want it to go to the scorecards. I knew that I would lose if it went the distance.”
Sultan came out swinging and landed with his overhand right consistently. Ancajas, however, fought technically and was more accurate with his combinations that came off his sharp jabs.
“I knew I hurt him. That’s why he would move out to a distance,” said Sultan, who at times rocked Ancajas with his counter left and overhand right.
Sultan may have walked off the ring with a loss, but he didn’t come out empty-handed. He’ll take home lots of experience against a world-class fighter and the respect of fans.
“A lot of people were impressed. He did everything and we are proud of that,” said trainer Edmund Villamor.
Ancajas defended his belt for the fifth time and improved to 30-1-1 with 20 knockouts, while Sultan dropped to 14-4 with nine knockouts.
“I’m not discouraged at all because I know that I gave it my all and I did everything to try and win,” said Sultan. “I will train harder and return more aggressive. I also learned that I should not look for a knockout because it will come.” (EKA)