Philippines, 01 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Respect is Ancajas' motivation


PhilBoxing.com



Jerwin Ancajas at Friday's weighin in Uncasville, CT.

IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas is determined to deliver a strong message that he can’t be ignored in lining up the world’s top 115-pound fighters and standing in the way of earning the respect he deserves is Mexican challenger Jonathan Javier Rodriguez who will test his mettle in a scheduled 12-round title bout at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, Saturday ight (tomorrow morning, Manila time).

“Jerwin wants respect,” said MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons yesterday from Connecticut. “For some reason, he’s never in the equation when talking about the best superflyweights. It’s always (Juan Francisco) Estrada or Chocolatito (Gonzalez) or (Carlos) Cuadras or (Srisaket Sor) Rungvisai. Jerwin’s made eight successful defenses and he still can’t get respect. But this fight will be his statement that watch out, Jerwin means business. This is going to be a war.” Supervising the title fight is Melvina Lathan. David Fields of New Jersey will be the referee and Tony Paolillo of New York, Tom Schreck of New York and Don Trella of Suffield, Connecticut the judges.

Ancajas, 29, hasn’t fought in over a year and the encounter with Rodriguez was postponed twice but now that it’s finally set, he can’t wait to rumble. “Sabi ni Rodriguez, simula first round, banat kaagad,” he said. “Handa akong makipagsabayan. Noong bago ako sa pro, ganoon ang style ko, bahala na, suntok ng suntok parang si Sir Manny (Pacquiao) sa unang panahon niya. Paglipat ko kay coach Joven (Jimenez), nag-improve yung technique ko, depensa, counter, footwork, kumbinasyon, jab. Itong laban ang susi para makilala ako bilang isa sa mga tanyag na superflyweight sa mundo.”

Rodriguez, 25, is a typical Mexican come-forward warrior who’s the highest-ranked contender in the IBF with the No. 1 and No. 2 slots vacant. To prepare for Ancajas, Rodriguez disposed of Julian Yedras in a single round in Monterrey last December and in his previous fight, the brawler nicknamed “Titan” sent two-time world title challenger Felipe Orocuta to a seven-week stay in the hospital. Ancajas, a southpaw, hasn’t lost in his last 20 outings or since dropping a majority decision to countryman Mark Anthony Geraldo in Lapu Lapu City in 2012. His record is 32-1-2, with 22 KOs. Rodriguez has won six in a row since bowing to Jose Martin Estrada Garcia on a split decision in 2018 and totes a record of 22-1, with 16 KOs. It will be Ancajas’ fifth fight in the US while Rodriguez is making his debut outside of Mexico. In yesterday's weigh-in, Ancajas tipped the scales at 114 3/4 pounds and Rodriguez checked in at 115.
Ancajas has called out the division’s big names for a showdown but Estrada, Gonzalez, Cuadras and Rungvisai are looking elsewhere. The WBC recently announced that Estrada, now the WBC superflyweight “franchise” champion, and Gonzalez will face off in a rubber match with the winner to take on the survivor of a duel between Srisaket and Cuadras for the WBC crown.

Ancajas, Jimenez and sparmate Jonas Sultan landed in Los Angeles from Manila last October. It took nearly six months to confirm his ninth title defense with Premier Boxing Champions taking over from Top Rank and now managing his affairs. The team left Los Angeles for Connecticut last Tuesday with Gibbons and his son Brendan. Featherweight Mark Magsayo and his wife Frances flew in from L. A. the next day. Magsayo, 25, takes on Houston’s Pablo Cruz, 34, in the undercard. Cruz has won seven of his last eight to raise his record to 21-3, with 6 KOs compared to Magsayo’s 21-0, with 14 KOs. Both fights will be shown on the One Sports Plus channel via Cignal TV, sponsored by Big Boss Cement, tomorrow morning.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Ariza warns don’t underestimate Floyd
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Weights From ‘Erdenebat vs. Breedy’ Event from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • José "Chegui" Torres Award ceremony on May 2 in Ponce, Puerto Rico
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani Look Awesome During Today's Presscon; Ready for Saturday's Historic Tokyo Dome Showdown!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Santig is IBF Promoter for Asia 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Jerusalem Arrives Early in Johannesburg Ahead of May 16 Title Defense
    , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Confirmed Mayhem: Casimero vs Nery June 6 in Japan! (Long Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Vicelles is OPBF light fly champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • WBC Commemorative belt ¨Tollan Tlatequi¨ at stake on Benavidez-Ramirez super fight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Toro’s Talented Trio of Prospects Fighting in Mexico on May 15th
    , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • CONAH WALKER READY FOR AN ALL-OUT WAR AGAINST MIDLANDS RIVAL SAM EGGINGTON IN HIS HOMETOWN WOLVERHAMPTON – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • IBA.PRO Champions Night in Saint Petersburg postponed due to unforeseen circumstances
    , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • 20th Philippine Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Open on May 1
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • MELBOURNE FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS
    , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Vicelles Decisions Diaz, Claims OPBF 108-lb Belt in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 29 Apr 2026
  • Stars feted at Pacquiao/Elorde Awards Night
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 29 Apr 2026
  • Magramo banners Blow-By-Blow show
    , Wed, 29 Apr 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle сard сonfirmed for St. Petersburg: IBA.PRO Champions Night
    , Wed, 29 Apr 2026
  • Magramo excited to fight Rementizo for new PBO title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 29 Apr 2026
  • Angel “AK-47” Barrientes Dominates Luis Espinoza with Shutout Victory in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 29 Apr 2026
  • Manangquil is again Manager of the Year
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 29 Apr 2026
  • World Boxing confirms details of AIN procedure that will allow boxers from Russia and Belarus to take part in its competitions
    , Wed, 29 Apr 2026
  • MATCHROOM BOXING AND DAZN PRESENTER JAMIE WARD CELEBRATES COVETED SJA AWARD FOR 'ONES TO WATCH – BROADCAST ON AIR'
    , Wed, 29 Apr 2026
  • Farewell, Sir Perry Mariano
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 29 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 APRIL 2026: Jarrell Miller Outpoints Lenier Pero; Chaves, Sosa win in Vegas show
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 28 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.