Big fights back on TV
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 19 Mar 2021
It’s been over a year, way before the pandemic struck, that big-time fights involving Filipinos were shown on a major TV network. The long wait will finally be over when TV5 airs IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas’ title defense against Mexico’s Jonathan Javier Rodriguez and IBF No. 4 featherweight Mark Magsayo’s battle against Houston’s Pablo Cruz on Sunday morning, April 11 (Manila time). The duels are in a Showtime card set at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, the same venue where WBO bantamweight ruler JohnRiel Casimero knocked out Ghana’s Duke Micah last September.
Ancajas, 29, is facing his ninth challenger in a mandatory defense. Rodriguez, 25, is ranked No. 3 by the IBF but the highest available contender since the No. 1 and No. 2 slots are vacant. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons described Rodriguez as a “dangerous opponent with nothing to lose.” Rodriguez was the merciless gladiator who bludgeoned two-time world title challenger Felipe Orocuta into a state of unconsciousness in the ring in 2019. Orocuta was administered CPR to revive his heartbeat on the canvas, was carried out on a stretcher and had surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain. He was in the hospital for seven weeks before discharge and will never fight again.
“Rodriguez is no gimme guy,” said Gibbons. “He’s hungry and I expect him to pressure Jerwin like a typical Mexican warrior. Rodriguez isn't Sugar Ray Leonard. He’s coming to fight.” For Ancajas, this is an opportunity to show he’s ready for bigger game, now that he’s signed up with promoter Tom Brown and Al Haymon of Premier Boxing Champions. A convincing win over Rodriguez will catapult Ancajas into a marquee unification showdown against the survivor of a projected match between super WBA/WBC superflyweight ruler Juan Francisco Estrada and former WBC titlist Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. Last Saturday, Estrada scored a split 12-round decision over Roman Chocolatito) Gonzalez to unify the WBC and super WBA titles and the day before, Rungvisai stopped Kwanthai Sithmorseng. Gibbons said after Ancajas’ fight next month, he’ll go back home. Ancajas hasn’t seen his family since leaving for L. A. last October. The plan is for Ancajas to fight again in the US in September against a leading contender and in December against the Estrada-Rungvisai winner.
Ancajas has been working out at the Wild Card Gym and sparring with the likes of Christian Robles. Freddie Roach’s assistant Marvin Somodio said “magaling si Jerwin, talagang world-class ang skills at lakas ng suntok.” Ancajas’ trainer Joven Jimenez said he’s on track to be in tip-top shape for Rodriguez. “Nasa tamang target kami sa timbang,” said Jimenez. “Kondisyon na lang sa laban ang bantayan.” Yesterday, Ancajas scaled 123 pounds, just eight over the 115-pound limit with three weeks to go before fight time. Jimenez said the whole team is on the same page except when they’re watching the NBA on TV. Ancajas is a diehard L. A. Lakers fan while Jimenez cheers for the Brooklyn Nets.
As for Magsayo, Gibbons said the goal is to prepare him for a world title shot. Magsayo arrived in L. A. last July and beat Rigoberto Hermosillo on a split decision three months later. Cruz, 34, is a 5-7 veteran with a 68-inch reach and a record of 21-3, including 6 KOs. Known as the Lethal Mosquito, Cruz is in Magsayo’s way to the top. Magsayo, 25, has a 21-0 record, with 14 KOs.
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