Philippines, 03 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Ashfall drives Ancajas to Dipolog


PhilBoxing.com



A motorcycle drives in an ash-covered town in Cavite, Philippines.

Ashfall caused by the Taal Volcano eruption has sent IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas to relocate his training camp from Magallanes, Cavite to Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte where he will stay until it’s time to leave for his next title defense in the US in April.

Ancajas’ manager/trainer Joven Jimenez said yesterday Top Rank CEO Bob Arum will announce details of the coming fight soon. Ancajas was earlier penciled to make his ninth defense in Las Vegas on Feb. 22 but Arum has moved the fight to headline a card in April. Jimenez said formal announcement of the fight will be made by Top Rank.

It’s still a guessing game whom Ancajas will face but the likely opponent is Mexico’s Israel Gonzalez who upset No. 5 contender Sho Ishida on a split 12-round decision in an IBF eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger in Osaka last Dec. 28. If Gonzalez is tapped, it will be his second attempt to wrest the crown from Ancajas. In 2018, Ancajas stopped the Mexican in the 10th round in Corpus Christi, Texas, to post his fourth successful title defense.

Three fights are lined up for Ancajas this year so he’ll be busy. He also fought thrice in 2018 but only twice last year. His most recent outing was in Puebla, Mexico, last Dec. 7 when he stopped Puerto Rico’s Miguel Gonzalez in the sixth round. After celebrating his 28th birthday last Jan. 1, Ancajas was back in the gym.


Jerwin Ancajas (R) with his manager Joven Jimenez (L).

“Handa kami palagi ni Jerwin,” said Jimenez. “Focus lang talaga sa training at iwas sa problema. Todo ensayo kami, focus ng husto. Sabi ni (MP Promotions head) Sir Sean (Gibbons), confirmed na ang April fight pero ang Top Rank ay mag-announce.”

Ancajas resumed training at his own Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite but when Taal Volcano erupted and ash showered its vicinity, Jimenez decided to move out. Big Boss Cement president Gilbert Cruz offered his rest house in Dipolog for the Ancajas team to set up camp. Ancajas, Jimenez and six sparmates arrived in Dipolog last Thursday. Ancajas left his family in Magallanes to train in seclusion. Ancajas’ sparmates are Daniel Lim, John Mark Alimane, Angelo Beltran, Alixes Abilar, George Nuez and Ala Alberca.

Jimenez said he’s not aware of the exact date and location of the coming fight only that it will be held in April as the main event of a Top Rank card. Jimenez said Ancajas isn’t picking any opponent and will fight anyone whom Top Rank assigns. But it’s been Ancajas’ dream to unify the 115-pound title and a unification showdown with WBC counterpart Juan Francisco Estrada is tops in his wish list. Estrada, however, has serious hand issues and may not be immediately available. A fight between Estrada and WBA champion Khalid Yafai of England has been postponed twice because of the Mexican’s hand injury. In 2015, Estrada underwent surgery to repair damage in his right hand and it appears that the hand has not healed properly.

Another possible opponent for Ancajas is Australian Andrew Moloney who is promoted by Top Rank so it’s a fight that will be easy to arrange. Moloney, 28, has a 21-0 record with 14 KOs and his list of victims includes 11 Filipinos. Arum was once quoted as mentioning a plan to stage an Ancajas defense against Moloney in Australia. “Jerwin would love to fight Moloney any time and it would be in the US,” said Gibbons.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Technological evolution or revolution?
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Result or Matias-Smith WBC super lightweight title match purse bid
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Vicelles fights in Japan on Sept. 7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Yoelvis Gomez Speaks After Winning the WBA Continental Latin America Title
    , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Connor Coyle sets the record straight ‘Clean from Day One. Never cheated, never will’
    , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Requito stops Bambam in 3rd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Villarosa draws with Labajo, Enano wins
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Suarez, Magsayo Reliving High Point in PH Boxing at Super Featherweights
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Pacman back into full-time boxing
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Unbeaten Laurente Dominates Marapu to Capture IBF Pan-Pacific Lightweight Crown; Gaballo Wins in Co-Main Event
    , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Thunderdome 51 Review: Perth’s Joel Lewis claims title with stunning knockout
    , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Paulette Cuesta and Susy Kandy Sandoval Set for Highly Anticipated Rematch in Tijuana
    , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 31 August 2025
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • Gaballo, Laurente prevail in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • Paalam leads ABAP team in Liverpool
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • OKC Thunder Favored to Repeat as NBA Champs
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • Pacman sets ‘Thrilla’ commemoration
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • Historic win for Paolo Gallito who edges Lee Van Cortez in the finals of the Efren "Bata" Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • "The Return" Weights from Detroit
    , Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • Efren Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Tourney: Corteza Faces Villafuerte in Finals
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • Martha Salazar: Stepping Out of Her Own Shadow
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Laurente and Marapu Make Weight for IBF Regional Title; Gaballo Fights Tomorrow in Sanman Boxing Show in Gensan
    , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • IM Christian Arca sweeps 10-game simultaneous chess in IIEE SMRC in Davao City
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY PRESENTS “I’M SWEET” FEATURING GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA
    , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Traya, Bactol, De Barbo, Porres in Action in Highland Show in Thailand, live on DAZN
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.