FRESNO, Calif.?Donnie Nietes had a direct hand while Nick Curson did his part helping Jonas Sultan attain his fullest potential here.
Nietes, the 3-division world champion who reigned for an unprecedented 10 years, served as Sultan?s main sparring partner in the final phase of his preparations for Jerwin Ancajas.
Curson, a strength and conditioning expert, on the other hand, charted Sultan?s physical and nutritional needs, including a revised diet that supposedly made the challenger a lot stronger than when the compact team that included trainers Edito and Edmond Villamor, left Cebu to continue their training in Los Angeles.
They holed up at Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood and trained in secrecy, before driving to this Central Valley city on Monday.
The change in atmosphere must have worked wonders for Sultan as he quickly learned to embrace the role of challenger.
He took the vocal offensive to the mild-mannered champion, escalating it after Friday?s official weigh-in by boasting that he had a 100 percent chance of snatching Ancajas? belt.
Nothing wrong there really, but now he needs to back up his words with deeds.
On Saturday night, at Save Mart Center, Sultan must unravel the surprises that his team supposedly prepared for Ancaja.
Nietes said his stablemate at ALA Boxing has the ability to unseat Ancajas, giving the protagonists equal chances.
?They are both good so whoever connects the most will have the edge,? Nietes said.
Curson said he feels that he has succeeded molding Sultan into a mean fighting machine, but can?t guarantee victory.
?It?s 50-50. He?s in perfect condition. It?s now or never,? Curson said.
Team Sultan will have Dr. Ed dela Vega as cutman for the first world title duel between two Filipinos in 93 years.
