Philippines, 16 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


It’s destiny for Sultan


PhilBoxing.com



Sultan (R) reacts after his win over Caraballo.
Zamboanga del Norte’s Jonas Sultan was set to fight in the undercard of WBO bantamweight champion JohnRiel Casimero’s title defense against No. 1 contender Paul Butler in Liverpool tonight (tomorrow morning, Manila time) but in a stroke of fate, will now face the Englishman for the interim crown. Casimero was disallowed from fighting for violating a British Boxing Board of Control rule against sauna use to reduce weight and the WBO is now assessing whether or not to strip him of the championship. If the throne is declared vacant, Sultan and Butler will dispute the actual, not interim, title.

“We knew Casimero had difficulty making weight,” said MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons who’s in Liverpool. “So we got Jonas a slot in the undercard, thinking if Casimero isn’t able to fight, maybe he could be the replacement since he’s the No. 4 contender. This was meant to be for Jonas, his destiny. He’s prepared for Butler. (Strength and conditioning coach) Memo (Heredia) got him ready training for months in Las Vegas and Jonas arrived in the UK Tuesday last week, even before Casimero.”

GAB chairman Baham Mitra left Manila for Liverpool last Wednesday and will be at ringside for the fight. “We strongly condemn and discourage the commission of any illegal acts or violation of boxing rules,” he said. “We will summon Casimero and his team to shed light on the issue.”

Sultan, 30, said he’s dedicating the fight to his friend Ali Tazeem who died in a car accident last Sunday. Since landing in the UK, Sultan set up training camp in Birmingham with Tazeem’s father Toheed, a boxing coach known as Dr. Tee. Tazeem, 18, is an amateur standout who recently signed a contract to turn pro. He was a passenger in the car that collided with a bus at an intersection in Wolverhampton.

Yorkshire’s Michael Alexander will be the referee with Spain’s Manuel Palomo and Fernando Laguna and the UK’s Howard Foster the judges. The supervisor will be WBO Europe vice chairman John Handelaar of the UK. Gibbons said as far as he’s concerned, there will be only one judge in the fight and that’s Sultan. Working Sultan’s corner will be Gibbons, son Brendan and Irish cutman Andy O’Neill.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • BEN WHITTAKER OPENS UP ON HIS AMERICAN DREAM, CALL-OUTS AND HEADLINING IN 'SPECIAL CITY' LIVERPOOL THIS SATURDAY – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • IBA partners with Global Boxing Series for landmark fight night in Navi Mumbai
    , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • IM Arca finishes 2nd in Thailand Blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • Cebuano "Money Punch" Elmo Traya Heading to Georgia for WBF World Title Shot!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • Unfinished Business: Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright Super Lightweight Rematch Set for May 16 at Norfolk’s Scope Arena LIVE on DAZN
    , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • Rhaki Constantino bags Asian HeyBall Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • GARNICA VS. CORREA SET FOR WBC CONTINENTAL AMERICAS TITLE CLASH IN LONG BEACH MAY 15
    , Wed, 15 Apr 2026
  • IBA Board of Directors convenes for strategic April 2026 meeting
    , Wed, 15 Apr 2026
  • Cadalso to turn pro in Juego Todo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 15 Apr 2026
  • 2-Time World Champion Shawn Porter Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday  May 2 in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 15 Apr 2026
  • Former Coach of De La Salle University Taft-Manila finishes third place in Beijing Blitz Grand Prix
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 15 Apr 2026
  • "When one goes to war we all go to war!" – Owen Corrigan challenges Mad Dog Micah Rivetti for Light Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Crocs FC wins 3 titles in Football sa Bayan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Chess Kings Ready to Battle in Pacquiao 3x3 Chess Team Tournament at Lica Malls 500 Shaw
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Manguyab to debut in RFL
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Simsri Crushes Mendoza, Retains IBF 108-lbs Title; Could A Filipino Challenger Fight Simsri Next? (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao and Jas Mathur via Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announce Nine-Figure Team Boxing League Partnership, Launching Manny Pacquiao’s San Diego TJ’s Franchise
    , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Pabular loses by a split decision
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • DFBC dominates in Invitational Doubles
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Santisima Faces Undefeated Grigoryan for IBF Asia Title in Russia
    , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Jenn Perella excited to be fighting in front of family & friends on ‘Rumble at the Rink II’
    , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Angel Barrientes Training Camp Notes
    , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • DFBC sweeps Dubai Filipino bowlfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Middleweight Contender Vito Mielnicki Jr. Dominates Omar Huerta in Main Event at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City & Live on ProBoxTV
    , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Sergio Martinez returns with a victory at 51
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.