LOS Angeles?Jerwin Ancajas chief trainer Joven Jimenez made only one request to matchmaker Sean Gibbons ? schedule the next fights of the reigning International Boxing Federation junior-bantamweight world champion and top minimumweight contender Mark Barriga 2 weeks apart.
Just like what happened this month, when both Barriga and Ancajas triumphed over Colombian Gabriel Mendoza and Jonas Sultan, respectively.
Barriga scored a near shutout unanimous decision over Mendoza on May 13 at SM North Skydome in Quezon City, while Ancajas trounced Sultan, 119-109, 111-109, 117-111, on May 26 (May 27 in Manila) at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.
Jimenez wants Barriga (9-0, 1 knockout) to be present whenever Ancajas, his friend and townmate from Panabo City, defends his crown.
Gibbons, who left for Las Vegas with son Brendan Sunday afternoon, will try to work out a late September title fight for Barriga against unbeaten Japanese champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (10-0, 7 knockouts).
While bringing the fight to Manila is a top priority, Jimenez said he would agree even if the bout is held in Tokyo or elsewhere.
Next task in line for Gibbons is to talk to Top Rank Inc. boss Bob Arum and convince him that Ancajas deserves a unification bout against British Khalid Yafai (24-0) or the winner of the all-Filipino Donnie Nietes-Aston Palicte duel for the vacant WBO super flyweight crown in October.
Gibbons, who said he?ll go to Manila by the third week of June, said Jimenez?s requested schedule is workable.
