Historic Ancajas-Sultan title tiff to be aired live

Jerwin Ancajas’ historic defense of the International Boxing Federation super flyweight crown against countryman Jonas Sultan on May 26 (May 27 in Manila) in Las Vegas will be shown live on ESPN 5.

The first title duel between two Filipinos in 93 years will highlight “Live Boxing Month,” launched by ESPN 5 this May to satisfy the craving of local fans for world-class fights.

During the launch of the festivities at Raffles Makati on Monday, Ancajas said he is looking forward to a great fight with Sultan, the mandatory challenger.

Also on tap is an unprecedented daylong ring action on May 13, starting with the World Boxing Association lightweight crown showdown between Jorge Linares (44-3, 27 KOs) and Vasyl Lomachenko (10-1, 8 KOs) at 10 a.m.

It will be followed at 3 p.m. by a nine-bout card dubbed Survival Instinct at SM North Edsa Skydome, featuring other top fighters of Joven Jimenez, head coach of Ancajas.

The headliner pits Rio Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga (8-0, 1 KO) against Mexican Gabriel Mendoza (29-5-2, 23 KOs) in an IBF minimum weight title eliminator.

Others seeing action are former world title challenger AJ “Bazooka” Banal, former world champion “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona, who is returning after a three-year absence from the ring, and Genesis Servania.

The event, to be aired on Channel 5, Aksyon TV and ESPN 5.com, is a collaboration between MP Promotions and Knuckleheads Pro Boxing Fraternity in cooperation with Joven Sports Promotions.

Also on tap are “Greatest Fights” every Tuesday and Thursday, and Sylvester Stallone’s epic Rocky 1, every Saturday this May.

Ancajas (29-1-1, 20 KOs), who is in deep training at Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite, said he is looking forward to a great fight with Sultan (14-3, 9 KOs) of Cebu’s ALA boxing stable.

Signed up by TV5 Monday, Ancajas said he’s wary of Sultan’s capability to change fighting styles, that’s why he’s ready to go the full 12 rounds.

According to Jimenez, he, Ancajas and Barriga will be leaving for the United States nine or 10 days before the fight with Sultan, whom he described as a busy and strong fighter.

TV5 president Chot Reyes said Live Boxing Month is part of the network’s advocacy to provide air time, exposure and opportunity to Filipino fighters.