GAB OFFICIALS PREFER NON-PINOY CHALLENGER FOR ANCAJAS

Mandatory challenger Jonas Sultan

By LITO DELOS REYES

ALTHOUGH there is already an order for a mandatory defense, the officials from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) do not want to have a Filipino challenger for reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) World super flyweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas.
Fellow Filipino Jonas “Zorro” Sultan (14W-3L-0D, 9 KOs) of ALA Boxing Gym became the mandatory challenger after scoring an upset over former two-weight division champion Johnriel Casimero in an eliminator held last September in Cebu .
The 26-year old native of Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte is currently the IBF Inter-Continental Super Flyweight title-holder.
“I’ve been saying and hoping that if possible for us to avoid an all-Pinoy championship as there are other belts that we can aim for,” said GAB Chairman Abraham Kahlil “Baham” Mitra.
He added: “We appeal to both managers to explore other organizations so that we can also have more opoortunities to have Pinoy world champions.”
GAB Commissioner Mar Masanguid, on the other hand, said the “all-Pinoy championship is not good for us Filipinos”.
“Mahahati ang mga Pinoy kasi kapwa Pinoy ang maglalaban. Hindi yun maganda sa ating bansa,” said Masanguid, a former 3-time Barangay Captain in Davao City.
“Huwag na lang sana kung puede lang,” added Masanguid, also founding president of the Solid Duterte Supporters Group ‘D Original Nationwide.
Together with fellow GAB Commissioner Edward Trinidad, Mitra and Masanguid accompanied Ancajas to Malacanyang to pay a courtesy call with President Rody Duterte.
Ancajas is again expected to pay a courtesy call next week.
He was a given a heroes’ welcome today (Feb. 22) at his own hometown in Panabo City and will meet tomorrow Presidential Daughter and City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in Davao City.
Ancajas will be accompanied by Masanguid.