Will Ancajas sparmate be his next challenger?
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 06 Dec 2021
IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas will wait a little longer for the chance to unify the 115-pound throne as his showdown with WBO beltholder Kazuto Ioka set in Ota City on Dec. 31 was cancelled the other day due to Japan’s lockdown on foreign visitors as a precaution against the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said Ancajas, who’s training in Los Angeles, will remain with manager/trainer Joven Jimenez in the US through the coming holidays and defend his crown against a top 15 contender, possibly in January. “Sana pumayag si Ioka sa US ang laban,” said Jimenez. But it’s doubtful that Ioka will leave Japan anytime soon.
Gibbons said he hopes Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions will find a slot for Ancajas in a US card next month. He added that the Ioka duel will be reset for late next year. “This is devastating,” said Gibbons. “Jerwin’s been itching to unify. But things happen for a reason and now, we’ll go a different route.” Ancajas has made nine title defenses since wresting the IBF diadem from Puerto Rico’s McJoe Arroyo in 2016 and is running out of opposition. The No. 1 and No. 2 slots are vacant in the IBF standings and three of the next eight contenders are Japanese Sho Ishida, Ryoji Fukunaga and Akio Furutani. The No. 7 contender Jade Bornea is a Filipino and in line to face No. 3 Mohammed Obbadi of Morocco in a title eliminator. The No. 4 contender Francisco Rodriguez of Mexico lost to Ioka last September and has been sparring with Ancajas at the Wild Card Gym. Rodriguez, a former IBF/WBO minimumweight champion, is an option to challenge Ancajas despite being sparmates. Ancajas said he’ll fight whomever Gibbons and Jimenez choose to be in the opposite corner.
Gibbons said Ancajas plans to return home after his next fight. Ancajas has been training in the US since September. He would’ve left for Japan on Dec. 11. “We can’t question (what happened),” said Gibbons. “The Lord works in mysterious ways and this coronavirus is very mysterious. Jerwin is staying focused, he’ll keep working hard.” The cancellation was announced by the Shisei Boxing Gym, promoter of the aborted unification fight, citing the closure of Japanese borders from Nov. 30 up to the end of the year. Also cancelled was the Dec. 29 unification bout between Gennadiy Golovkin and Ryota Murata for the IBF, IBO and super WBA middleweight titles.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024