Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum sounded yesterday as though he was on the verge of unearthing a major archaeological find.
While the eighty-something Top Rank chief is notorious for hyperbole, he sounded genuinely thrilled over the prospects of staging a show early next starring the Philippines? newest boxing star.
?Everyone?s getting excited over Jerwin Ancajas,? Arum told the Bulletin, his voice reaching a crescendo.
Ancajas is fresh from a rousing sixth-round stoppage over Jamie Conlan of Northern Ireland to retain his International Boxing Federation IBF) super-flyweight title.
Arum said Ancajas, who made a lot of heads turn with his overpowering performance at the SSE Arena in Belfast, is being groomed to headline an ESPN card to maximize his exposure before the US audience.
?We?ll get him a good opponent,? said Arum, who turns 86 on Dec. 8.
Ancajas is one of just three reigning Filipino world champions and is actually mandated to defend the IBF 115-lb crown against countryman Jonas Sultan, the division?s No. 1.
While the IBF has installed Sultan as the mandatory challenger, it doesn?t mean Ancajas has no other options but to fight him next.
The IBF can also rule to allow Ancajas to ?step-aside? Sultan provided Sultan receives a fee and gets an assurance that he will be in line to face the winner.
But one thing is clear with Arum?s decision to promote Ancajas.
