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.

• READ: Jonas Sultan outpoints ex-champ Casimero in 'Pinoy Pride 42'

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.

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.

• READ: Jerwin Ancajas stops foe in 7, retains world junior-bantamweight title

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.

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