ARROYO ARRIVES FOR DEFENSE VS. ANCAJAS
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 29 Aug 2016
The IBF world super flyweight title fight that has seen its share of postponements and change of venue will finally push through. Joven Jimenez, manager of Filipino challenger Jerwin Ancajas (24W-1L-1D,16KO?s), informed philboxing that defending champion McJoe Arroyo (17-0,8KO?s) of Puerto Rico arrived in the Philippines this morning for the first defense of his IBF world crown.
The 30 year old Arroyo won the vacant title against Arthur Villanueva of the ALA Gym last July 18,2015 in El Paso, Texas by 10th round technical decision.
The common opponent between the two is the once promising Filipino contender Mark Anthony Geraldo. Ancajas, a former WBO Youth Asia-Pacific super flyweight titlist, lost his regional title to Geraldo by majority decision in 2012 in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu. Arroyo, in contrast, beat Geraldo by unanimous decision two years ago in Puerto Rico.
The 24 year old Ancajas is on a hot streak, having won by KO or TKO in his last ten bouts. That string of stoppage wins included a win in Haikou, China against Xu Runlong (2012) and two in Macao against Thai Inthanon Sithchamuang (Tanawat Phonnaku) and Fadhili Majiha of Tanzania (2014).
The battle of southpaws will be held at the Philippine Navy Gymnasium (Jurado Hall) of the Philippine Marine Corps in Baranggay Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila.
Arroyo had a distinguished amateur career, winning a bronze medal in the 2007 World Amateur championships and represented his country in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Another name boxer on Arroyo?s resume is former WBA world flyweight champ Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez of Mexico, who was stopped by Arroyo in 11 rounds in 2014.
Ancajas hails from Panabo City, Davao del Norte. A win will make him join the list of distinguished Filipinos from Mindanao like our incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte, reigning Ms. Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, boxing icon and Senator Manny Pacquiao, 2016 Olympic weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz and WBO bantamweight world champion Marlon Tapales.
Photo: Ancajas's manager Joven Jimenez (L) welcomes Puerto Rico's McJoe Arroyo.
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