Ancajas awaits IBF go-signal
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 10 Mar 2020
The date and venue are set for IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas’ ninth title defense but until the New Jersey-based governing body confirms who his next challenger is, it could be either No. 1 Israel Gonzalez or No. 10 Jonathan Javier Rodriguez, both from Mexico.
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said yesterday he expects the IBF to give its go-signal on Ancajas’ opponent by tomorrow or Thursday. He declined to name anyone as the likely challenger, deferring to Top Rank to make the announcement. But it’s final that Ancajas’ fight will be at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on April 11. The Cosmopolitan is a 2,995-room luxury hotel and casino at the heart of the strip and has hosted several boxing events at the 3,000-seat Chelsea Theatre.
Gonzalez, 23, defeated Japan’s Sho Ishida by a split 12-round decision in Osaka last December to nail the No. 1 spot in an eliminator. If Gonzalez is picked, it will be a rematch. In 2018, Ancajas halted Gonzalez in the 10th round to post his fourth title defense in Corpus Christi, Texas. If Rodriguez is chosen, it will be the realization of their duel that was originally scheduled in Carson City last Nov. 2 but postponed when the Mexican failed to complete the state medical requirements because his US visa was issued late.
Ancajas’ trainer and manager Joven Jimenez said whether it’s Gonzalez or Rodriguez or anyone else, the Panabo, Davao del Norte, southpaw will be ready. “No problem kung sino man ang kalaban,” said Jimenez. “Nasa 130 pounds si Jerwin at maganda ang kondisyon niya.” Ancajas relocated from Magallanes, Cavite to Dipolog last Jan. 16 to avoid the onset of ashfall due to the Taal Volcano eruption and has since set up training camp with six sparmates in Big Boss Cement president Gilbert Cruz’ resthouse in Zamboanga del Norte. Early this month, Ancajas’ wife Ruth and their three children arrived in Dipolog for a visit and will stay until the fighter leaves for Las Vegas next week.
Ancajas’ nutritionist Jeaneth Aro will arrive in Dipolog on Saturday in time for a media conference on his coming fight. It will also be on Saturday when Samuel Salva, who is trained by Jimenez, takes on one-time world title challenger Jeffrey Galero in the main event of a boxing card in Dipolog. Salva, 23, was stopped by Pedro Taduran in a battle for the vacant IBF minimumweight crown in Taguig last September but has bounced back to stop Donny Mabao in Iligan City last January. Salva’s record is 18-1, with 11 KOs, and he’s hoping for a rematch with Taduran.
“Nasa tamang target kami sa training program ni Jerwin,” said Jimenez. “Focus kami sa darating na laban. Wala si Jerwin kinakatakutan. Kahit sino makalaban. Masaya kami nanalo si Chocolatito (Gonzalez) dahil matapang siya. May pag-asa kami makaharap siya.” The Nicaraguan wrested the super WBA 115-pound crown from England’s Khalid Yafai on a ninth round stoppage in Frisco, Texas, last Feb. 29 to raise his record to 49-2, with 41 KOs.
Ancajas has now sparred over 80 rounds to prepare for his next fight. He’s not taking any chances. If it’s Gonzalez or Rodriguez, Ancajas will make sure he’s prepared to do what it takes to bring back the belt to the Philippines. His goal is to unify the superflyweight championship and facing either Chocolatito or WBC titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada would be a dream come true.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Weights From Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
Sat, 19 Apr 2025JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
Sat, 19 Apr 2025June 8: Junto Nakatani-Ryosuke Nishida Bantamweight Unification Showdown Headlines Tokyo Super Card Streaming LIVE on ESPN+
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Thursday’s Action at the 2025 USA Boxing International Open Concludes
Sat, 19 Apr 2025H2O Sylve Returns to the Ring April 26th At Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta Amado Vargas Is Co-Main Live On BLK PRIME
Sat, 19 Apr 2025FM Arca bounces back, defeats IM Laohawirapap of Thailand in 6th round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 19 Apr 2025SMITH VS. GERMAIN WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Fri, 18 Apr 2025WBO #2 WBA #2 Mikiah Kreps on Weight in Seneca Niagara
Fri, 18 Apr 2025UFC® RETURNS TO PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY WITH BLOCKBUSER CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER
Fri, 18 Apr 2025AMATEUR HEAVYWEIGHT SENSATION LEO ATANG SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Fri, 18 Apr 2025