Jerwin Ancajas will finally fight in the Entertainment Capital of the World for the first time when he defends his IBF junior bantamweight title against Argentine challenger Fernando Daniel Martinez at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 26.
Ancajas and Martinez both tipped the scales at 114.5 lbs. Ancajas currently is one of boxing’s longest reigning champions, having held the IBF junior bantamweight title since September 3, 2016 when he outpointed McJoe Arroyo by unanimous decision in Taguig City.
Ancajas is elated for this chance to fight in Las Vegas for the first time before targeting another record of being an undisputed champion in the 115lb-division.
Ancajas last fought last April 10 winning by unanimous decision against Mexican Jonathan Javier Rodriguez at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut.
He has defended his IBF junior-bantamweight title nine times against the following:
Chile's Miguel Gonzalez by 6th round TKO Japan's Ryuichi Funai by 6th round TKO
Mexico's Alejandro Santiago by split decision Filipino Jonas Sultan by unanimous decision
Mexico Israel González by 10th round TKO
United Kingdom's Jamie Conlan by 6th round TKO
Japan's Teiru Kinoshita by 7th round TKO
Mexico's José Alfredo Rodríguez by 7th round TKO
Mexico's Jonathan Javier Rodriguez by unanimous decision
Ancajas failed to travel to Japan for a unification match with WBO champion Kazuto Ioka. The two were supposed to clash on Friday New Year's Eve in Tokyo, but Ancajas was replaced due to Japan's ban of foreign travelers since November 30 to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant.
Ancajas said he will not be complacent in defending his title for the 10th time citing Martinez's impressive amateur record.
“‘This is my dream to fight here in Las Vegas and I’m so happy that Martinez worked hard for this fight,” said Ancajas as quoted by Inquirer Sports. “But being a champion, [I will do my best to bring] a good fight and I will show that I’m also good in my amateur days."
"I’m so excited for this fight. I’m feeling very energetic now because I got this belt from McJoe Arroyo, he’s also an Olympian and he also gave me a motivation because when I was amateur I also dreamt of fighting in the Olympics but I turned pro early,” added Ancajas.
Ancajas wants to unify the title belts after this fight. "When I defend this title, then I want the unification fight next,” Ancajas said. “I’m ready to go wherever I have to in order to get that fight. But I’m definitely not overlooking Martinez.”
Martinez will be entering his first career title fight, and it will also be his U.S. debut. The challenger from Buenos Aires, Argentina fights abroad for the third time in his last four fights after having previously fought only in his country. Martinez is a 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympian, has joined in the World Series of Boxing by AIBA.
The undefeated Martinez is very eager to win his first world title. “This isn’t my first rodeo,” Martinez said. “I’m going to take everything I’ve learned to try to become the new champion
Tale of the Tape
Birth name Jerwin Juntilla Ancajas
Alias Pretty Boy
Official weight 114.5 lbs
Age 30
Stance southpaw
Height 5′ 6″ (168cm)
Reach 66½″ (169cm)
Residence Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Philippines
Birth place Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Philippines
Bouts 36
Rounds 219
Pro record 33-1-2 (22 KOs)
KO rate 61.11%
Pro debut July 27, 2009
Titles held International Boxing Federation World Super Flyweight Title
Birth name Fernando Daniel Martinez
Alias Pumita
Official weight 114.5 lbs
Age 30
Stance orthodox
Height 5′ 3½″ (161cm)
Residence Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
Birth place Avellaneda, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bouts 13
Rounds 68
Pro record 13-0-0 (8 KOs)
KO rate 61.54%
Debut August 25, 2017
Rating No. 11 International Boxing Federation Super Flyweight Contender
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