Arroyo injures left hand; title-defense against Ancajas in jeopardy
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 12 Apr 2016
INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight champion McJoe Arroyo injured his left hand in training thus making his first title-defense against Filipino challenger Jerwin ?Pretty Boy? Ancajas on April 16 in the Philippine in jeopardy.
Arroyo (17W-0L, 8KOs) postponed his media workout last Wednesday - just nine days before his championship fight at the Strike Coliseum in Bacoor, Cavite - due to what was loosely described as a minor lesion in his left hand according to a report by Boxingscene.com.
Arroyo decided to postpone the media workout to check his injured hand with an orthopedic specialist.
Puerto Rico Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) vice-president Peter Rivera said that they are ?hoping that the injury is not something serious and that Arroyo can resume training later this week.?
?For now, the hope is that a quick visit to the doctor?s office will produce good news and only result in one missed day of training,? said the Boxingscene.com.
The report added that ?there hasn?t been any suggestions of a backup plan or any talks of his (Arroyo) potentially withdrawing from his April 16 road trip to the Philippines.?
If Arroyo?s camp can provide medical proof of his injury, the champion will be given a medical extension for up to 60 days to recover. And if it exceeds 60 days and the champion will still not be available to defend his title, he will be stripped of the title.
Boxingscene.com said the IBF has not yet received anything from PRBBP to indicate the nature of the injury and the amount of time to recover according to IBF Championships Chairman Lindsey Tucker.
Arroyo won the title in a technical decision win over Arthur Villanueva also of the Philippines last July in El Paso, Texas. The Arroyo-Ancajas bout is being promoted by Manny Pacquiao?s MP Promotions, which won the purse bid thru lone bidder Samson Lewkowicz last February 12.
Meanwhile, Ancajas? manager Joven Jimenez said that they are now just waiting for the decision of the IBF on whether the fight will be postponed or not.
?Sa ngayon, maghintay na lang muna kami. Hindi muna ako mag comment,? said Jimenez.
Ancajas, on the other hand, already posted on his Facebook account: ?Sorry po postponed po yong laban ko sa april 16. Injury po kc c Mcjoe Arroyo.?
Ancajas (24W-1L-1D-16KOs) had been training in Cavite and Tanay, Rizal since he left the MP Davao Gym in Davao City more than a month ago.
He also just recently had a partner play with Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga of the Philippine national team. Barriga and Ancajas are both products of the Panabo City Amateur Boxing Program.
Ancajas, however, opted to turn pro at the young age of 17. ? LITO DELOS REYES
FOTO: Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga (left) with Jerwin Ancajas after their partner play in Cavite gym recently.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Lito delos Reyes.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
GM Antonio outwits Kazakh GM, shares lead
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 26 Oct 2025Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 25 Oct 2025DAVID ALCAIDE CROWNED INAUGURAL PHILIPPINES OPEN CHAMPION
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Bryce Mills vs. James Bernadin Venue Changed: Randolph House Hotel & Convention Center Will Host Pro/Am Card in Liverpool, New York
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Parker vs. Wardley: Who Will Keep Winning Streak Alive?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Elmo Traya, Reymond Yanong, Ivan Ognayon in Action in Brico Santig's Show Today in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Alessio Bisutti Fights for WBF Heavyweight World Title in Highland Show October 25 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVI AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Sat, 25 Oct 202530 people arrested in NBA gambling operation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 25 Oct 2025GM Joey beats CM Marc in Italy World Senior Standard chess tourney to climb at 2nd place
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Oct 2025RomyMac’s Ali memories
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Warriors Survive Gordon’s 50 to Beat Nuggets in Overtime 137-131
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Oct 2025