Sultan loses 12-rounder to Butler

MANILA, Philippines — Jonas Sultan failed in his bid to claim the WBO interim bantamweight title, losing a unanimous 12-round decision to hometowner Paul Butler in Liverpool, England, Friday night (yesterday morning, Manila time). But there was no quit in his heart as he gave it his all in trying to live up to his moniker “One Punch.”

Butler proved too slick and crafty for Sultan to pin down as the English stylist repeatedly beat the Filipino to the punch, landed combinations and ran rings to stay away from harm’s way. From the start, Butler set the tone by striking from distance to leave Sultan swinging wildly at a phantom target. Occasionally, Sultan connected with shots to the head and body but they were sporadic. He pursued Butler relentlessly, hoping to lay a trap in the corners. Butler had too much respect for Sultan’s power to engage from close range extensively and often left the Filipino lunging aimlessly.

MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons, who worked Sultan’s corner with his son Brendan and Irish cutman Andy O’Neill, said Butler stuck to a gameplan that worked like a charm. “Styles didn’t mesh,” he said. “No excuses. Jonas tried running in, moving side to side, jabbing but Butler had all the answers. Jonas tried his best but Butler was in the zone, fighting the best fight of his career. Jonas gave 110 percent but credit to Butler and his trainer Joe Gallagher. Butler took him to a track meet and fought like a white Rigondeaux in a crazy amateur style. He did what he had to do to win.” The judges had no difficulty choosing the winner. Howard Foster scored it 116-112, Manuel Palomo 118-110 and Fernando Laguna 117-111. “Pinag-aralan ako,” said Sultan. “Kaya ko suntok niya. ‘Di ko lang maabutan. Hinabol ko pero maganda ang kaniyang footwork.”

GAB chairman Baham Mitra was at ringside and said he was disappointed because “I came to watch boxing not a race.” Sultan’s manager Mrs. Cory Navarro flew in from Australia to watch the fight and said she was proud of his effort. Gibbons said Sultan will take 60 to 90 days off then get himself ready for another fight in September. “I’ve seen ups and downs in boxing,” he said. “Jonas got outslapped by Butler, he wasn’t knocked out, he lost to the better guy but he’ll be back. I guarantee he’ll fight for the world title again.”