FRESNO, Calif.?For now, the early meeting between Jerwin Ancajas and Khalid Yafai here on Monday can be called an interaction between two world champions.
But after their respective title defenses at Save Mart Center here on Saturday, it could soon be a clash between title holders.
As Ancajas, the International Boxing Federation super flyweight titlist, and his entourage walked toward the reception desk of the Courtyard by Marriot, Lee Samuels of Top Rank Promotions spotted a familiar figure at the lobby bar talking with some friends.
It was Yafai, the unbeaten World Boxing Association super flyweight champion.
Lee called on Yafai and requested him to pose for a few pictures with Ancajas.
The Briton obliged and, after a few clicks of cameras and cell phones, shook hands with Ancajas before returning to his seat.
If both Ancajas, who?s tangling with countryman Jonas Sultan, and Yafai, who?s battling Mexican David Carmona in the co-feature, win there?s a chance they will figure in a title-unification bout.
Ancajas, 29-1-1, with 20 knockouts, and Yafai (23-0, 14 KOs) have been tagged as favorites over Sultan (14-3, 9 KOs) and Carmona (21-5-5, 9 KOs), respectively, and if they live up to expectations, Top Rank honcho Bob Arum won?t hesitate pitting them against each other in late August or early September.
Arum, 86, is arriving on Thursday for the event?s final press conference, where Ancajas and Yafai will be present.
Come Saturday, they will likely watch each other?s fights.
