Jonas Sultan dominates American foe in ring return

Jonas Sultan unloads a body shot against Frank Gonzalez in their super bantamweight fight in Florida, USA. Photo from ProBox TV

MANILA, Philippines—Former world title contender Jonas Sultan hardly missed a beat in his ring return after a 17-month layoff.

Making his super bantamweight debut, Sultan introduced himself in style by dominating American Frank Gonzalez in an eight-round bout at ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida, USA.

Sultan displayed his punching power and dropped Gonzalez in the second and fifth rounds to fashion out a unanimous decision victory.

Jonas Sultan after beating Frank Gonzalez. -Photo from ProBox TV

It was Sultan’s first fight since he lost to Paul Butler for the vacant WBO bantamweight belt last April in Liverpool, England.

The 31-year-old Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte native, who also lost a title fight to compatriot Jerwin Ancajas in 2018, hiked his record to 19-6, with 11 knockouts and dealt Gonzalez his fourth loss.

Sultan is fighting at the 122-pound division currently ruled by fellow Filipino Marlon Tapales and top pound-for-pound fighter Naoya Inoue.

Tapales, who holds the WBA and IBF titles, and reigning WBC and WBO champion Inoue are in talks for an undisputed showdown in December.