One-time world title challenger Jonas Sultan helps out another former rival as he works as one of World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight king Johnriel Casimero’s sparring partners.
Sultan will fly to Las Vegas next month to work with Casimero for the latter’s all-Filipino world title unification bout with World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. on Aug. 14, 2021 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
“I think I’ll be going there in July. That’s what they told me,” Sultan told SunStar Cebu.
Sultan beat Casimero by unanimous decision in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight title eliminator in 2017 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
Since Casimero’s loss to Sultan, he has won six straight fights and won the WBO bantamweight belt in the process.
Sultan helped out another former foe this year. He was the main sparring partner of IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas in his title defense against Jonathan Javier Rodriguez on April 10, 2021 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
“This would be a good experience for me as I get to train with Johnriel Casimero,” said Sultan.
Casimero was originally scheduled to defend his belt against Cuban star Guillermo Rigondeaux. However, Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) decided that a world title unification with Donaire Jr. was a more appealing fight.
Casimero came off a successful title defense against challenger Duke Micah on Sept. 9, 2020 in Uncasville. He stopped previously unbeaten Micah in three rounds. Donaire Jr., on the other hand, is fresh from a fourth round knockout of Nordine Oubaali on May 29, 2021 in Carson. Donaire Jr. had a vintage performance and dropped Oubaali in the second round twice before knocking him out in the third round.
It will be the first time in history that two Filipino world champions will be fighting in a unification bout.
Casimero is 30-4 with 21 knockouts, while Donaire Jr. is 41-6 with 27 knockouts. (EKA)