Puerto Rican rising star not taking ‘strong’ Jonas Sultan lightly

Puerto Rican boxing star Carlos Caraballo. CARLOS CARBALLO INSTAGRAM

MANILA, Philippines — Groomed as the next great Puerto Rican boxing star, Carlos Caraballo isn’t looking too far ahead into the future with a crucial bout coming up.

The up-and-comer stakes his undefeated record against a battle-tested Filipino in Jonas Sultan, who aims to land another world title shot.

“I am thankful for the opportunity that my promoter, Miguel Cotto Promotions, is giving me together with Top Rank to fight at Madison Square Garden,” Caraballo said recently.

“I will take this opportunity to look great and continue to make noise at 118 pounds as I aspire to win a world title. Sultan is a strong, experienced opponent. I know he has fought the big names, but I am working hard with my team to show I am a force to be reckoned with.”

The 25-year-old Caraballo is 14-0 with all of his wins coming by knockout including a fourth-round stoppage of Leonardo Baez last March.

FILE–Jonas Sultan celebrates after defeating Sharon Carter during their bout at Dignity Health Sports Park on August 14, 2021 in Carson, California. Michael Owens/Getty Images/AFP

Sultan (17-5, 11KOs), who has never been stopped, has won three of his last four fights since losing to compatriot Jerwin Ancajas for the IBF super flyweight title.

The Zamboanga del Norte native, who is part of MP Promotions, has been training with Ancajas at Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. He last fought American Sharone Carter, whom he knocked out in the seventh round in Carson, California last August.

Caraballo and Sulat will meet in the ring on October 30 at Madison Square Garden in New York in a 10-round bantamweight clash as part of a Top Rank billing headlined by a junior welterweight bout between Jose Zepeda and Josue Vargas.

“Carlos Caraballo has all the makings of the next Puerto Rican superstar. Not many bantamweights can punch like this kid, but Sultan is far from a pushover,” said Top Rank chief Bob Arum.