The exact date and the opponent aren?t known yet, but already Jerwin Ancajas has started to train for his sixth title defense of the International Boxing Federation junior-bantamweight world title.
All that Ancajas knows so far is that his next fight will be in Daly City, Calif., either on October 6 or 20.
Matchmaker Sean Gibbons told Ancajas and trainer-manager Joven Jimenez about the development after meeting with Top Rank head Bob Arum in Las Vegas last week.
Ancajas, currently in Iloilo City for an engagement, said Saturday night that he did some early-morning running on Monday and then did gym work at Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite.
Reinvigorated by the long rest he took following his fifth title defense against countryman Jonas Sultan on May 26 in Fresno, Calif., Ancajas said he?s ready for another long grind.
?I feel excited to train again,? said Ancajas. ?Na-miss ko na ito.?
Gibbons will return to the US to finalize details of the Ancajas fight with Top Rank, which has three more fights on its promotional contract with the newly enlisted chief petty officer of the Philippine Navy Reserve Corps.
Ancajas? fellow 115-pound champions and considered possible opponents are Khalid Yafai of the World Boxing Association, Thai Srisaket Sor Runvisai of the World Boxing Council, and Donnie Nietes of the World Boxing Organization.
Nietes is set to dangle his title against countryman Ashton Palicte on August 18 in Cebu.
Also to be finalized are Mark Barriga?s quest of the IBF minimumweight crown.
Barriga, the No. 1 contender, usually fights two weeks ahead of Ancajas since the London Olympics veteran helps his town-mate in the final phase of training.
According to Jimenez, Japanese Hiroto Kyoguchi is set to vacate the 105-pound crown on July 31, so Barriga may be pitted against No.3 Carlos Licona of Mexico. Licona, 23, is also unbeaten in 12 starts with 2 KOs.
