ONE-time world title challenger Jonas Sultan makes his decision on where to sign next month, while world-ranked KJ Cataraja, on the other hand, is dead set on a career path in Japan.
“I have offers from international and local promoters. But I haven’t decided where I will sign. Maybe by October, I’ll be able to decide on my new promoter,” Sultan told SunStar Cebu.
Sultan said that his strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson gave him an offer to sign with boxing legend Roy Jones Jr.’s promotional company, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions.
Some of the fighters that have fought under Jones’ promotional outfight are Filipino super flyweight Aston Palicte, Ray Ximenez Jr., Alexander Flores, Kendo Castañedo, Connor Coyle and Shady Gamhour.
Sultan, 28, is still at the peak of his career. He will be remembered for scoring a huge upset over Filipino star Johnriel Casimero in 2017 and for his all-Filipino world title fight against International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight king Jerwin Ancajas. He has a record of 16-5 with 10 knockouts.
Cataraja, meanwhile, is ready to sign with a Japanese promoter despite receiving offers from other international promotional companies like MTK Global.
“I have received different offers. Some have offered me signing bonuses,” said Cataraja. “They encourage you with money, but I don’t know how they will take care of you with their promotions.”
Cataraja hopes to get signed by Ohashi Promotions, which promotes the likes of Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue.
Cataraja spent some time in Japan in 2019 and 2020 as a sparring partner for Inoue and Kosei Tanaka.
After the closure of the famed ALA Gym and its promotional outfit, ALA Promotions, the famed ALA Boys are now free agents. The likes of Sultan, Cataraja, four-division world champion Donnie Nietes, ex-world champion Milan Melindo, former world title contender Jeo Santisima, world-ranked super bantamweight Albert Pagara and highly rated minimumweight Melvin Jerusalem, to name a few, are free to sign with any manager and promoter. (EKA)
