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Media Workout: Ancajas and Sultan Prepare for Historic Fight


*FRESNO, Calif (May 23, 2018)* – No matter the result, history will be made
Saturdayevening at the Save Mart Center, when Jerwin Ancajas defends the
IBF junior bantamweight title against Jonas Sultan. It will be the first
all-Filipino world title bout contested since 1925.

In the co-feature, WBA 115-pound champion Kal Yafai of Birmingham, England,
will make his U.S. debut against two-time world title challenger David
Carmona.

Appearing on the undercard will be a pair of 4-0 Central Valley junior
lightweight prospects: Isidro Ochoa of Fresno and Bryan Lua of nearby
Madera, Calif.

Many of the fighters from Saturday’s card worked out for the media Wednesday
at Heartbeat Boxing.

This is what they had to say.

*Jerwin Ancajas*

“My goal is to entertain the crowd. For my fans, the Filipino community
here, I’m looking forward to this fight.”

“I’m proud that my dream has come true. All of my sacrifices paid off.”

“Sultan is hungry for a world title fight, to prove he is the best. I am
confident, but not overconfident, because he’s also Filipino. We are
expecting a good fight for the fans.”

“There are many great fighters in the Philippines, and I am happy that
Jonas and myself can share this big stage. We are making history, and I am
glad that we can fight to see who is the best.”

*Jonas Sultan*

“For me, I’m really proud for this fight because I am the one fighting for
a championship that is history-making in the Philippines. I am very
grateful that I am the one. This is my dream in life, to fight for the
world championship.”

“This is very good for me because this is an important opportunity. Jerwin
is a good fighter. He has speed and power. I trained hard. I have a really
good plan for this fight.”

*Kal Yafai*

“It was the right time in my career {to make my American debut}. I had the
opportunity, to not only to fight in the U.S., but fight on a Top Rank
card. Top Rank is a very respected promoter, and my promoter, Eddie Hearn,
thought it was the best opportunity for me. So, that’s what we did.”

“At this moment, I don’t really care about {Ancajas-Sultan} because I have
a job to do myself. I’m not looking past this fight. After my fight, I’ll
obviously watch the fight if I’m not too tired. I always concentrate on
what I have in front of me.”

“There are plenty of great fighters at 115 pounds. Jonas Sultan is a great
fighter, and he can’t be written off on Saturday night. Jerwin is a great
fighter also, who I expect to win on Saturday.”

*Bryan Lua*

“My first three opponents, I tried to hit them with everything, and they
went in survival mode for the rest of the four rounds. With my last fight
(a first-round KO), I just took my time, let him in, and caught him with a
left hook.”

“It’s like I’ll be fighting in my backyard. All the people that have been
supporting me from Madera, Fresno, and the entire Central Valley will be
there. I’m just excited to put on a show.”

“Now that I’m training with Jose Ramirez and {trainer} Robert Garcia in
Riverside, it motivates me more to showcase my talent here, so one day I
can be the main event or the co-main event with Jose.”

*Isidro Ochoa *

“I’m really excited for this. It’s been my dream since I was little to
fight in big arenas like the Save Mart Center. All of my family and friends
in Fresno will be able to make it here.”

“Since Jose Ramirez turned pro, I feel like it’s opened the doors for a lot
of Central Valley fighters. There is really good talent here in the Central
Valley. Everyone knows Fresno as this really bad neighborhood, but deep
down inside Fresno, there are a bunch of kids who want to do something with
their lives. Boxing pushes people to accomplish their dreams.”

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