Best moments of historic world title bout between two Filipinos

June 1, 2018 - 5:45 PM
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Boxing’s rising star Jerwin Ancajas showed fellow Filipino fighter Jonas Sultan that he could keep his IBF super flyweight title for the fifth time, but now in the first all-Filipino title bout in 93 years on May 26 in Fresno, California.

On YouTube, TopRank’s video of the match’s highlights ranked among the most popular in the Philippines for days.

Fan Ace Erolin commented that the fight was not “boring,” as both fighters showed some prowess.

“But Ancajas’ technical fighting style is the bread and butter to this fight,” the user continued.

But another user, Islawan, observed that there was “no spice” in a bout that pits countrymen.

“All-Filipino match won’t sell abroad,” the user thought.

The match was not only a moment in history, it was also the first event accessible live on the ESPN+ streaming app, a digital platform that opens up a large audience potential for promoter Top Rank.

The STAR’s Joaquin Henson has this to say about the match:

“Las Vegas-based international matchmaker Sean Gibbons said Ancajas put on a clinic in repulsing Sultan whose wild, awkward style prompted the defending titlist to box patiently with precision instead of attacking with impunity. Gibbons described Ancajas ‘a master technician’ in outclassing Sultan even as it meant employing an unexciting strategy to win on points.”