THERE’S nowhere to go for Jonas Sultan but up—a shot at a world title.
“Wait there guys, I’m coming for you,” said Sultan on Tuesday, referring to world bantamweight champions Japanese Naoya Inoue, fellow Filipinos Johnriel Casimero—whom he beat via unanimous decision in Cebu in 2017—and Nonito Donaire Jr.
Sultan improved to 18-5 won-lost (11 knockouts) following his upset of erstwhile unbeaten Puerto Rican Carlos Caraballo, who he knocked down four times on the way to a unanimous decision win on Sunday at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“Great things are coming for Jonas [Sultan],” MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons said. “What’s next for Jonas? It’s a world title for the boy. He deserves it.”
But a shot at the world title would have to wait a while for the 29-year-old from Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte.
“We have to wait for what will happen in Casimero’s title defense,” Gibbons said. “But it’s time to get a world title for him.”
Casimero will be defending his World Boxing Organization belt against Englishman Paul Butler either in Dubai or London at a still undetermined date in December. Donaire, on the other hand, will also stake his World Boxing Council title against fellow Filipino Raymond Gaballo on December 11 in a still to be announced venue.
A fight with International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association champion Inoue, however, does not show on the radar at the moment.
Sultan fought with an aching wisdom tooth and felt discomfort over an ill-advised wrap in both feet but still managed to get the win over the Puerto Rican. He and manager Junnie Navarro went to see a dentist immediately after the fight and caught a flight to watch the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets at the Staples Center on Monday.
Sultan is supported by One-Pacman Partylist Rep. Mikee Romero, MLV Group of Michael Venezuela and Zamboanga City sports patron Kings CEO Cory Navarro.