Kinumpirma ng Manny Pacquiao Promotions (MPP) na hahamumin ni No. 1 at mandatory challenger Jerwin Ancajas ng Pilipinas si IBF super flyweight champion McJoe Arroyo ng Puerto Rico sa Abril 16 sa Strike Coliseum sa Bacoor City, Cavite.

Nabatid na gusto ng promoter ni Arroyo na si Peter Rivera, ng Boxing Best Promotions, na gawin sa Estados Unidos o Puerto Rico ang laban ngunit wala silang nagawa nang makuha ng Sampson Boxing ang promosyon ng laban para sa MPP sa halagang $25,000.

“A contract was sent out to Arroyo’s team on Friday, for the fight to take place on April 16 at Strike Coliseum in Bacoor City, Philippines. As per the terms of the purse bid, Arroyo will be entitled to the favorable end of an 85/15 split, or $21,250 USD - a larger-than-normal split due to his defending in his challenger’s home country,” ayon sa ulat ni BoxingScene.com managing editor Jake Donovan. “This information is in stark contrast to Rivera’s belief that the fight will land in the United States or Puerto Rico.”

Walang magagawa si Arroyo kundi idepensa sa Pilipinas ang IBF title na nakuha niya sa pamamagitan ng kontrobersiyal na 10th round technical decision laban sa Pilipino ring si dating OPBF junior bantamweight champion Arthur Villanueva noong Hulyo 18 sa El Paso, Texas.

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“Contrary to reports out of Puerto Rico from (Rivera) that his IBF 115-pound world champion McJoe Arroyo would defend his belt in the US or Puerto Rico, those stories are false,” sabi ni MPP matchmaker Sean Gibbons nitong Sabado. “Contracts went out today from Sampson Boxing to McJoe Arroyo to defend the belt in April 16 in the Philippines versus number-one contender Jerwin Ancajas.”

May ulat na takot lumaban si Arroyo sa Pilipinas dahil hindi niya kontrolado ang sitwasyon taliwas nang makuha niya ang IBF title kay Villanueva.

Posible ring bakantehin ni Arroyo ang titulo para mapalaban si Ancajas sa kampeonato kontra No. 4 contender Teiru Kinoshita ng Japan o No. 5 ranked Rex Tso ng China. (gilbert espeña)