Title bout between two Filipino boxers in Fresno carries historical significance

Jerwin Ancajas will defend his International Boxing Federation junior bantamweight world title against Jonas Sultan on May 26 at the Save Mart Center.

It will be the first time in 93 years that two Filiipino boxers will fight for a world title, with the last being then-flyweight world champion Francisco Guilledo, most commonly known as Pancho Villa, defeating Clever Sencio by unanimous 15-round decision on May 2, 1925 in Manila.

“I am so glad and very grateful that I was given an opportunity to fight Jonas Sultan,” Ancajas said in a news release. “We are given a chance to display our talents on a world stage, two Filipinos fighting for a world title. This is history, and our names will be linked forever.”

In the co-main, Kai Yafai (23-0, 14 KOs) of England will make his U.S. debut and defend his World Boxing Association super flyweight world title against David Carmona (21-5-5, 9 KOs) of Mexico.

Ancajas (27-1-1, 19 KOs) is from Barangary Ramirez, Magallanes, Cavite, Phillipines. He will be making his fifth title defense since 2016. Sultan (14-3, 9 KOs) is from Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines.

The fights will be shown on ESPN+. There will be more bouts added soon.

Tickets go on sale at noon Friday, starting at $20.

Anthony Galaviz: @agalaviz_TheBee

This story was originally published April 29, 2018 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Title bout between two Filipino boxers in Fresno carries historical significance."