Ancajas braces for title defense vs Rodriguez
Top Rank Promotion boss Bob Arum said International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas will defend his belt against Mexican challenger Jonathan Javier Rodriguez on November 2 in Carson, California.
“We have a schedule for November second in Carson, California. He is fighting Jonathan Rodriguez, 21 wins, one defeat and 15 knockouts. It’s a very, very tough fight, it will be an exciting fight for the fans — a very tough fight,” Arum told The Manila Times.
The 27-year old Panabo, Davao del Norte native Ancajas (31-1-2 win-loss-draw record with 21 knockouts) scored a sixth round technical knockout victory against previous challenger Japanese Ryuichi Funai last May 4 in Stockton, California.
Arum cautioned that the Rodriguez fight would not be an easy one for Ancajas.
“I don’t know, it’s a very close fight. But if he fights up to his capabilities, he should win. But you know, it’s not a one-sided fight, it is a very tough fight,” said Arum.
The 24-year-old Rodriguez (21-1 record with 15 knockouts) is coming off a 10th round technical knockout win over Felipe Orucuta last June 7 in Mexico.
Arum added there’s a possibility of Ancajas fighting World Boxing Council super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico if the Filipino boxer hurdled Rodriguez.
Ancajas is training under coach and manager Joven Jimenez at the Philippine Naval Education and Training Command in San Antonio, Zambales.