FRESNO, Calif.?Jerwin Ancajas and Jonas Sultan provided a glimpse of what?s to happen when they clash for the International Boxing Federation super flyweight crown on Saturday.
They will wage war, pounding each other until one goes down or continuing up to the final bell.
Taking off the cloak of secrecy that marked their training sessions in the Philippines, in Redondo Beach and in this city, the champion and mandatory challenger participated in an open workout held at Heartbeat Boxing to drum up interest in the fight trumpeted as the first all-Filipino world title duel in 93 years.
Sultan and trainers Edito and Edmond Villamor climbed the ring first Wednesday afternoon.
His body already well-chiseled at 116 pounds, Sultan impressed the crowd with his speedy hands that fired off combinations and his springy legs that enhanced his lateral movements.
Noticeable, too, were his heavy, snappy punches.
Ancajas came in after Sultan, the last among the boxers featured in the fight card being staged by Top Rank Promotions, and opted not to display his full arsenal during the shadow-boxing and mitts sessions.
Guided by trainer Joven Jimenez, Ancajas did their routines a bit slower than when they are in a confined gym. His punches, which have knocked out the first four challengers to his crown, also registered lower decibels than when they were thrown without peering eyes.
He isn?t in poor form, of course. Ancajas merely wants to reserve his best moves and strongest punches for the crafty and shifty Sultan, who also boasts of power in his hands
Like his opponent, Ancajas isn?t worried about going over the limit in Friday?s official weigh-in.
After a late workout Wednesday, he also weighed 116, just a pound off the division?s limit.
That?s why, Jimenez allowed Ancajas to have dinner and be ready for his last training session on Thursday, when Top Rank head Bob Arum arrives for the final press conference.
With their weights in check and their fight plans well-rehearsed, Ancajas and Sultan are focusing on the real battle on Saturday, when they can?t hold back and hesitate.
