Bob Arum excited over ‘historic’ Ancajas-Sultan bout

FRESNO – Top Rank CEO Bob Arum was all smiles as he explained why IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas’ fifth title defense against countryman Jonas Sultan will write boxing history at the Save Mart Center here tonight (tomorrow morning, Manila).

Not only will the fight mark the first-ever duel between two Filipinos for a major world crown in 93 years but it will also be the first event accessible live on the ESPN+ streaming app, a digital platform that opens up a large audience potential for Top Rank. World flyweight champion Pancho Villa’s decision over Clever Sencio in Manila in 1925 was the first world title fight between Filipinos. Another bout was held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in 1995 with William Magahin retaining his WBF welterweight crown on a decision over Erwin Villaver but it’s not widely considered as a major title fight.

“We know Filipinos to be tech-savvy so this new app with ESPN+ will go well with the Filipino community in the US,” said Arum. “It’s only $4.99 a month and you can cancel anytime. I’m excited about Ancajas’ fight. (ALA Promotions president) Michael (Aldeguer) swears by his fighter Sultan and I’m aware of ALA’s reputation. We at Top Rank have big plans for Ancajas and we want him to fight only the best out there. Sultan is a tough challenger and I expect a great fight. Fresno has a big Filipino population and we know Fresno to be a boxing city. We expect a big crowd for the fight.”

Arum intends to pit the Ancajas-Sultan winner against the survivor of the WBA superflyweight title fight between unbeaten defending champion Khalid Yafai of the UK and Mexican challenger David Carmona in a unification showdown sometime this year. Yafai stakes his crown against Carmona in the Ancajas-Sultan undercard.

Arum said he won’t be in Kuala Lumpur for WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse’s defense against Manny Pacquiao on July 15. “I’ve got an ESPN card in New Orleans that weekend,” he said. “Top Rank is doing the pay-per-view and closed circuit in the US for Manny. But we’re waiting for the money to come in. Let’s see if the Malaysians can bring in the money. Matthysse wants his purse in escrow before he fights and we won’t move unless there’s money in the bank. Michael (Koncz) tells me the money will be sent in two days.”

Las Vegas-based international matchmaker Sean Gibbons predicted an Ancajas win. “I really believe Sultan is going to make Jerwin look like a million bucks,” he said. “Sultan will be aggressive. If he boxes, there’s no way he can win because Jerwin will pick him apart. Sultan leans in with his head out so Jerwin has to be careful not to get butted.”