He’s being groomed as the subsequent nice Puerto Rican boxing sensation, and Carlos Caraballo desires the world to know that he’s not only a hype job.
The unbeaten 118-pounder takes on his stiffest check thus far Saturday when he squares off in opposition to former junior bantamweight title challenger Jonas Sultan in a scheduled 10-round bout from Madison Sq. Backyard’s Hulu Theater in New York.
The principle occasion of the cardboard will function former junior welterweight title challenger Jose Zepeda, who squares off in opposition to Josue Vargas in a 10-round contest.
It is probably not probably the most eye-catching bout on paper, however Sultan isn’t any straightforward activity. Caraballo has the extra completed beginner file (143-14), however the Filipino has a serious edge in professional expertise.
Whereas Caraballo has but to battle previous the sixth spherical as a professional, Sultan has not solely fought previous the sixth body 11 occasions in his profession, however he additionally holds a big, but underrated victory over present bantamweight titleholder John Riel Casimero, whom he totally outclassed in a 12-round contest again in September 2017 within the Philippines.
With unbeaten Ring Journal 118-pound champion and unified titleholder Naoya Inoue reportedly set to battle unheralded Aran Dipaen later this yr, one has the impression that Caraballo, certainly one of boxing’s hottest younger prospects, is being matched more durable than one of many pound-for-pound greats of the game at present.
That’s exactly what Caraballo desires and expects every time he steps into the ring. His poise expressing each confidence and humility, he defined to The Ring why this was the right time to problem Sultan.
“I really feel able to problem the perfect on the earth,” he said via an interpreter. “My beginner expertise has given me an incredible benefit. It has ready me properly for the skilled stage. I don’t need any straightforward fights.”
Sultan (17-5, 11 KOs), who unsuccessfully challenged Jerwin Ancajas for a junior bantamweight title in Could 2018, is using a two-bout profitable streak. However he has not confronted a top-caliber opponent since that battle.
Nonetheless, Caraballo just isn’t overlooking him.
“I don’t see any weaknesses in Sultan. He has fought some good fighters and has defeated some good fighters. I’m not wanting previous him. He’s precisely the kind of opponent I must beat to maneuver as much as the subsequent stage.”
Whereas Caraballo, who signed a promotional pact with Miguel Cotto Promotions in 2016, has been a knockout machine throughout the embryonic phases of his professional profession, he’s not particularly on the lookout for the knockout this time.
“I’m not going to say that I’m seeking to knock Sultan out as a result of knockouts come once you [least expect them],” mentioned Caraballo. “I’m ready to go the gap if I’ve to, but when I see a possibility to attain the knockout, I’m going to take it.”
As soon as Caraballo (14-0, 14 KOs) defeats Sultan, he desires an instantaneous shot at any of the champions.
“I would like Inoue or Casimero,” mentioned the younger prospect. “They’re the perfect within the division. And that’s what I’m right here to do, and that’s to turn out to be a world champion and produce the title again house to Puerto Rico.”
