Mexicans, Aussie in line to face Jerwin
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 08 Jan 2020
Referee Wayne Hedgpeth raises Ancajas’ arm after he stopped Miguel Gonzalez in Mexico last month.
It will be a busy new year for Jerwin Ancajas as prospective challengers are lining up to challenge the IBF superflyweight champion who has so far made eight successful title defenses since wresting the crown from Puerto Rico’s McJoe Arroyo in 2016.
Ancajas, 28, has repeatedly mentioned his priority is to battle WBC counterpart Juan Francisco Estrada in a unification showdown but the Mexican may not be too keen on facing the Panabo, Davao del Norte fighter. Besides, Estrada has serious hand issues. In 2015, he underwent surgery to repair damage in his right hand and was sidelined for nearly a year. Estrada has twice postponed a duel with WBA superflyweight ruler Khalid Yafai of England because of “discomfort” in his hand. They were supposed to slug it out last Dec. 13 then the fight was moved to Jan. 31 but that has also been postponed.
IBF No. 8 contender Israel Gonzalez, whom Ancajas stopped in his fourth title defense in Corpus Christi in 2018, loomed as the next challenger after defeating No. 5 Sho Ishida on a split 12-round decision in Osaka last Dec. 28. The bout was billed as an IBF eliminator to determine Ancajas’ mandatory challenger since no fighter is rated No. 1 or No. 2. Romania’s Alexandru Marin, 27, is the highest ranked contender at No. 3 but backed out of fighting Ancajas last year. Filipino Donnie Nietes is No. 4 but it’s not likely he’ll challenge his countryman. Australian Andrew Moloney is No. 6 but wants to tangle with Yafai instead.
Mexican Jonathan (Titan) Rodriguez, who was supposed to fight Ancajas last November until visa issues intervened, is also in the queue as challenger. Rodriguez, 24, boasts a 21-1 record, with 15 KOs and is coming off a knockout win over Felipe Orucuta who underwent brain surgery after the bout and was hospitalized for two months.
For the moment, Gonzalez appears to be leading the race in finding Ancajas’ next challenger. Since losing to Ancajas, the 23-year-old Mexican has posted a 4-1 record, losing only to Yafai, to raise his mark to 25-3, with 11 KOs. His burning ambition is to avenge the loss to Ancajas.
Moloney, 28, is promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank which also handles Ancajas so it’s a natural for the fighters to meet. It was recently reported that Top Rank plans to promote an Ancajas defense against Moloney in Australia but MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said if the fight pushes through, it will be in the US. “Jerwin would love to fight Moloney any time and it would be in the US,” said Gibbons. “But Moloney is waiting on Yafai and doesn’t want Jerwin yet.”
Moloney, nicknamed The Monster, has a 21-0 record, with 14 KOs. His victims include Chile’s Miguel Gonzalez, whom Ancajas demolished in Mexico last month, and 11 Filipinos, including Richard Claveras, Rene Dacquel, Raymond Tabugon and Renoel Pael.
“I think the way my career has progressed is more like the old-school style,” said Moloney, quoted by James Lupton in Boxing Monthly magazine. “I went from winning the Victorian state title in Australia then won the Australian title then the Commonwealth and the WBA Oceania titles. I progressed up the ranks in the correct order and my career has been guided by my manager Tony Tolj to perfection and we’re at a very exciting stage now where hopefully the next title will be the world title.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Date set for Manny-Money 2
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
Wed, 25 Feb 2026IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 25 Feb 20262 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Wed, 25 Feb 2026Doors open for Manny
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 24 Feb 2026MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 24 Feb 2026ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Team USA Notches Perfect Day to Open 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Floyd Mayweather Vs. Manny Pacquiao Set for Blockbuster Professional Rematch Streaming Live Globally on Netflix Saturday, September 19
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Francisco wins PBF flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 24 Feb 2026San Diego’S Boxing Stars Julius Ballo and Jonny Mansour to Headline the Inaugural Edition of Sd Fight Night on April 18, 2026, at Frontwave Arena
Tue, 24 Feb 2026