Naghahanap nang dahilan si IBF super flyweight champion McJoe Arroyo ng Puerto Rico para hindi matuloy ang unang depensa ng kanyang titulo laban kay mandatory contender Jerwin Ancajas ng Pilipinas na nakatakda sa Abril 16 sa Bacoor City, Cavite.
Matagal nang iniulat ng BoxingScene.com na aatras si Arroyo sa laban kay Ancajas dahil batid niyang hindi siya mananalo sa Pinoy boxer kaya gusto niyang sa Puerto Rico o United States gawin ang laban.
Napagwagihan ni Arroyo ang IBF title sa kontrobersiyal na paraan nang magwagi sa technical decision matapos itigil ng Puerto Rican referee ang sagupaan sa 10th round nang nakalalamang na sa bakbakan si Filipino Arthur Villanueva sanhi ng putok sa kilay ng Pinoy boxer noong nakaraang Hulyo sa El Paso, Texas sa US.
“It was reported that the unbeaten McJoe Arroyo was forced to postpone a planned media workout on Wednesday due to what was loosely described as a minor lesion in his left hand,” ayon sa ulat ng BoxingScene.com. “The vice president of Puerto Rico Best Boxing Promotions Peter Rivera has revealed that ‘McJoe contacted me to inform me of an ailment that has suffered in his left hand.’
“Rivera told Puerto Rico media members planning to attend the training session that they ‘decided to suspend the training (we) had today with the media so that he can get evaluated by an Orthopedic specialist,’” ayon sa ulat.
May perpektong 17 panalo, 8 sa knockouts, tatanggap si Arroyo ng $21,250 bilang premyo sa $25,000 bid ng MP Promotions ni eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao laban kay Ancajas na may matikas na kartadang 24-1-1 win-loss-draw, na may 16 na pagwawagi sa knockouts.
Kung mas pipiliin ni Arroyo na bitiwan na lamang ang korona kaysa dumayo sa Pilipinas, posibleng sumabak na lamang si Ancajas sa susunod na puwedeng kontender na sina No. 4 Teiru Konishita ng Japan, No. 5 Rex Tso ng Hong Kong, No. 6 Sho Ishida na isa ring Hapones o kay No. 7 Villanueva para sa mababakanteng korona.
“We are hoping (the injury) is not something serious and that he can resume training later this week,” katwiran na lamang ni Rivera. (Gilbert Espeña)