ALA Gym boxer Jonas Sultan (right), together with his trainer Robert Eturma, shows off the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Intercontinental Super flyweight belt that he stole from Makazole Tete via a second-round stoppage in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
For most boxers, the only way to get a win when fighting abroad is to score a knockout. Jonas Sultan did just that when he stopped the highly favored Makazole Tete in the second round Saturday morning (Manila time) in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
By scoring what by far the biggest win of his promising career, the ALA Boxing Gym stalwart stole Tete’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) Intercontinental Super flyweight belt.
Sultan, who is the reigning Philippine super flyweight champion, floored Tete with right straight and the African boxer failed to beat the referee’s count.
Sultan, a native of Zamboanga del Norte, chalked up his 12th victory, eight of them by knockouts. He has three losses.
Tete suffered only his second loss to go with his 15 wins (11KOs) and two draws.
Tete came into the match looking to make Sultan his third Filipino victim.
It turned out Tete was in for a big surprise as Sultan started the opening round with guns ablaze and tagged his opponent with combinations.
Sultan didn’t slow down in the second round as his aggressiveness put Tete in trouble until he delivered the telling right straight.
Trainer Robert Eturma said it was Sultan’s aggressiveness that spelled the difference.
“Tete did not expect that Jonas would be that aggressive. Jonas was in best shape for the fight,” said Eturma.
Sultan was initially scheduled to fight in the undercard of Pinoy Pride 39 last Nov. 26 in Cebu City. The fight didn’t push through after he got an offer to fight Gideon Buthelezi of South Africa for the International Boxing Organization (IBO) World super flyweight title.
The fight versus Buthelezi was cancelled anew, prompting Sultan to accept an offer to face Tete.