CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, PHILIPPINES
Boxer Jonas Sultan’s upset win in New York extends Zamboanga’s winning streak in sports following the Olympic triumphs of Hidilyn Diaz and Eumir Marcial
Filipino Jonas Sultan withstood heavy blows and scored four knockdowns en route to a unanimous decision win over former unbeaten Puerto Rican Carlos Caraballo in a Madison Square Garden ring in New York City on Saturday, October 30 (Sunday, October 31, Manila time).
Proud Zamboangueños rejoiced as their boxing hero from Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte, ended the 14-win streak of Caraballo, all by knockouts.
It’s a big celebration for the more than 100-strong Zamboangueños in Cagayan de Oro, who call their group “L Zamboangueño Circle” and jointly headed by Bebot Aliñabon, Chito Potenciano, and John Elago.
“We’re proud and honored of Sultan’s achievement of sustaining Zamboanga’s winning tradition in the field of sports since the triumphs of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and amateur boxer Eumir Marcial in the Tokyo Olympics,” said group member Rene Michael Baños.
Diaz won the country’s first ever gold in the Olympics, while Marcial – who just married his longtime girlfriend Princess Galarpe on October 28 in Batangas – brought home a bronze.
“Viendo hacia adelante (We’re looking forward) to Sultan’s next journey as world title contender again,” said Baños
