By Rey Danseco
PHILIPPINE champion Dondon Sultan knocked out previously unbeaten Russian Anton Solopov in the opening round to capture the Pan Asian Boxing Association (PABA) welterweight title on Saturday at the Energetik Sports Complex in Surgut, Russia.
Sultan’s victory was his first in two attempts in PABA diadem after the 5-foot-6 orthodox from Cebu lost with unanimous decision over 12 rounds to Thai Parkpoom Jangphonak last October in Bangkok, Thailand.
Sultan, who actually born in Liloy, Zamboanga Del Norte, improves his record to 13-6-3 with 7 KOs while Solopov suffered the first blemished in his record after 13 starts with 9 KOs.
His opponent, the Kostya Tszyu-managed Anton Solopov, who dethroned Jangphonak in Queensland in Australia on January 27, came into his first title defense with a reach and two-inch height advantage at 5-foot-9.
But Sultan never let his the chance to claim international limelight lose when he jumped in and went for the kill with his most vicious punches.
Sultan, 27, faltered in PABA’s counterpart organization, the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) welterweight title fight twice against Japanese champs Hiroshi Watanabe and Kazuhiko Hidaka.
Sultan can expect a slot in the next world ranking of the World Boxing Association after his victory.
