Ancajas-Sultan title tiff moves to Fresno

Jerwin Ancajas. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

The historic title duel between compatriots Jerwin Ancajas and Jonas Sultan on May 26 has been transferred to Fresno, California, from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ancajas’ sixth defense of the International Boxing Federation super flyweight crown at the 10,132-seat Selland Arena marks the first time in 93 years that Filipinos will dispute a world title, and at a foreign venue at that.

In 1925, Hall of Famer Pancho Villa prevailed over Clever Sencio by unanimous decision to keep his world flyweight title at Wallace Field, now the Luneta.

Joven Jimenez, trainer and manager of Ancajas, said Wednesday their preparations at Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite, have been proceeding smoothly and they’re ready to face Sultan, who’s training at Ala Gym in Cebu, anywhere.

Jimenez added that Ancajas is now sparring for eight rounds against three partners and will go for 10 rounds next week.

Team Ancajas will leave for the United States on May 15, two days after other members of Jimenez’s fighters—AJ Banal, Marvin Sonsona and Mark Barriga—battle foreign foes on May 13 at SM Skydome (North Edsa).

They will train for a few days in Los Angeles, where they will also hold an open workout for the media, before going to Fresno, a city over 500,000 that lies 350 kilometers north of Los Angeles and 300 kilometers southeast of San Francisco. —ROY LUARCA