Ex-champs on comeback trail
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 23 May 2024
Magsayo (R) and Ancajas (L) pose with MP Promotions' Sean Gibbons.
Former WBC featherweight champion Mark Magsayo and ex-IBF superflyweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas are working double time in the gym as they prepare for their next fights leading to a chance to once more rule the world. “I don’t give up on my guys,” said MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons who’s laying down the road map for both fighters to rebuild their careers. It’s a tough climb back to the top but Magsayo and Ancajas are ready for the challenge.
Gibbons said Magsayo, the WBC No. 6, IBF No. 8 and WBO No. 10 superfeatherweight, will tangle with one-time world title challenger Eduardo Ramirez in the first of a two-step eliminator on June 15. Magsayo, who once held the WBC featherweight belt and is based in Los Angeles, bounced back from his defeats to Rey Vargas and Brandon Figueroa to stop Isaac Avelar last December. If Magsayo repulses Ramirez, he’ll advance to a final eliminator on the undercard of WBA superlightweight champion Isaac Cruz’ defense against Mexican Jose Valenzuela in Los Angeles on Aug. 3. Cruz, known as Pittbull, is MP Promotions’ first world champion from Mexico.
Gibbons said Ancajas, the WBA No. 10 bantamweight, is training at the Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite, for a comeback bout here this August. “Jerwinner will do two fights then get another shot at the world title,” said Gibbons. “Right now, he’s with his wife and kids at Survival. While enjoying quality time with family, Jerwin isn’t taking a step back in training.” Last February, Ancajas lost to Takuma Inoue in a bid for the WBA bantamweight crown in Tokyo.
Magsayo, 28, had a five-month reign as WBC featherweight champion in 2022 losing the crown on his first defense to Vargas. His record is 25-2 with 17 KOs. Ancajas, 32, was the IBF 115-pound champion from 2016 to 2022, compiling nine successful defenses until giving up the throne to Argentina’s Fernando Martinez. He failed in a bid to regain the belt, moved up to superbantamweight to halt Colombia’s Wilner Soto then slid down to bantamweight to face Inoue. His record is 34-4-2 with 23 KOs.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
YORK HALL FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS: GEORGE LIDDARD MAKES HISTORY TO BECOME THE YOUNGEST EVER BRITISH MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Usyk in Bare Knuckle event?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 18 Oct 2025IIEE Singapore tops National Chess Olympiad, Quezon City Simba's Tribe wins 2 matches in PCAP
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Liddard Destroys Conway to Claim British Middleweight Title, Becomes Youngest-Ever Champion
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Keiron Conway vs George Liddard: Unbeaten Prospect Faces Stiff Challenge
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Alicaba to fight for WBC Asian Continental super fly
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025DAY TWO: STARBOY MANAS STEALS THE SHOW AS TEAM ASIA EXTENDS PERFECT RUN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS INTRODUCES CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND VICE PRESIDENT TONY COHEN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Joseph Subia Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Sirimongkhol, Midgley Make Weight for WBF World Title in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 17 Oct 2025ICTSI South Pacific on Oct. 28-31
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Oct 2025PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART II)
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 17 Oct 2025California Commission Backs Dana White’s ‘American Boxing Revival’ and Expanded Muhammad Ali Act
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 17 Oct 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS PRESENTS “COUNTDOWN TO THRILLA IN MANILA” AND “THRILLA IN MANILA 50”
Fri, 17 Oct 2025Rafael Espinoza-Arnold Khegai Featherweight World Title Showdown Set for Nov. 15 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Fri, 17 Oct 2025