FRESNO, Calif.?They arrived here 20 minutes later than Team Ancajas, but Jonas Sultan and his crew didn?t mind.
They are not superstitious to make a big fuss as to who comes in first; they are bent on finishing first.
Sultan, who is challenging Jerwin Ancajas for the International Boxing Federation super flyweight crown, was accompanied by trainers Edito and Edmond Villamor and sparring partner Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes, the 3-division world champion and stalwart of ALA Boxing.
Team Sultan was in no hurry, driving from Los Angeles leisurely as they?ve done their work for the day.
Before leaving, Sultan trained at Wild Card Gym in Hollywood Monday morning and the Villamor brothers were satisfied with what they saw.
They believed that with the infusion of strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson?s scientific training input, they have honed up Sultan to his maximum attainable form in their 3-week stint in LA.
Like his trainers, Sultan is convinced he would topple Ancajas from his throne.
Certain that he?d make the 115-pound limit during the official weigh-in Friday, Sultan is focused on exploiting his perceived advantages over the southpaw champion.
The 26-year-old Sultan believes he?s the hungrier fighter, shiftier, and a more versatile ring tactician than Ancajas, who, according to the Villamors, is not a pressure fighter, firing just one or two punches most of the time.
They arrived at the conclusion after repeatedly watching and studying tapes of Ancajas? past few fights, especially his successful title defenses against Mexican Jose Alfredo Rodriguez, Japanese Teiru Kinoshita, Irish Jamie Conlan and Mexican Israel Gonzalez.
Sultan got an additional motivation as Michael Aldeguer, president and CEO of ALA Promotions, is around to provide them support and encouragement.
On Saturday, Sultan will have to translate all that he?s learned, absorbed and acquired into action to become champion.
He must bear in mind that Ancajas is just as determined to extend his reign.
