Jonas Sultan Suffers Shocking First-Round Knockout Loss to Riku Masuda
Jonas Sultan, the Filipino boxer, faced a devastating defeat at the hands of Japanese boxer Riku Masuda in a recent bout at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
The Fight
During the fight, Sultan threw a right punch, but Masuda countered with a powerful left straight to the liver, causing Sultan to hit the canvas for the first time in his career. Despite his efforts to get back on his feet, Sultan was unable to beat the count, resulting in a loss by knockout.
Post-Fight Reactions
Reflecting on the defeat, Sultan expressed his pain and disappointment, stating, “I tried to shake it off, but I really can’t breathe. Masakit talaga (It really hurts).” Sultan, a two-time world title challenger, acknowledged that he had felt confident going into the fight due to his excellent physical condition.
On the other hand, Masuda, with only four previous fights and a 3-1 record, managed to secure a significant victory over Sultan in their bantamweight bout.
Manager’s Support
Despite the loss, Sultan received support from his manager, Junnie Navarro, who reassured him that setbacks are part of the sport and emphasized the importance of bouncing back. Navarro also announced plans for Sultan’s comeback fight in Zamboanga in August.