World-title fight featuring Pinoy vs. Pinoy: Is it good or bad for PH boxing? | ABS-CBN

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World-title fight featuring Pinoy vs. Pinoy: Is it good or bad for PH boxing?

World-title fight featuring Pinoy vs. Pinoy: Is it good or bad for PH boxing?

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Sep 21, 2017 08:54 PM PHT

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Jonas Sultan is expected to challenge countryman Jerwin Ancajas for the world junior-bantamweight title. But is that good for Philippine boxing? Santino Honasan, ABS-CBN Sports

Having two Filipino boxers battle for a world title is a rare occurrence in Philippine boxing.

It is bound to happen again next year when Filipino upstart Jonas Sultan challenges Jerwin Ancajas for the world junior bantamweight title.

According to veteran fight analyst Ed Tolentino, there have only been two all-Filipino world-title bouts in history.

The first was when Pancho Villa defeated Clever Sencio to successfully defend the world flyweight belt in 1925. The second time was when Small Montana lost to Little Dado in a world flyweight championship bout in 1938.

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Tolentino doesn’t favor seeing two Filipinos competing for a world title.

“It is unfortunate that two Pinoys are looking to eliminate each other,” he said.

“On the surface, it’s bad because we don’t have that many prospects and now they are trying to eliminate each other. If we are like Mexico or the US, where prospects abound, it will not be an issue.”

The Philippines only has three reigning champions: Ancajas, Milan Melindo (junior flyweight) and Donnie Nietes (flyweight).

“That is why I think this is not the right time for Pinoy pugs to be battling each other,” Tolentino said.

Jerwin Ancajas reacts after knocking down Teiru Kinoshita of Japan to the canvas to win his bout. File/Dave Hunt, AAP via Reuters

One way to avoid such bouts is to let the Filipino boxers campaign in other sanctioning bodies.

“There are still the WBA, WBC and WBO to choose from. They can campaign there, take one of the titles,” Tolentino said.

“If it’s really inevitable, they should figure in a unification fight. I prefer two Pinoy champs in a unification battle.”

Sultan secured the right to battle Ancajas for the world junior bantamweight crown when he pulled off a unanimous decision win over Johnriel Casimero in their title eliminator over the weekend.

Ancajas's camp welcomed the development and doesn't mind a Pinoy-vs.-Pinoy clash.

“OK lang na may makaharap na Pilipino kasi kahit sinong manalo sa Pilipinas pa rin ang belt,” Ancajas' coach, Joven Jimenez, said.

ALA Boxing head coach Edito Villamor is just as excited to pit Sultan against Ancajas.

Villamor said they will have to thoroughly prepare "Zorro" against a high-caliber fighter such as Ancajas.

"Marami pa siyang kulang kaya kailangang mag-prepare para sa world title fight,” Villamor said.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)

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