Tiyak nang magdedepensa sa unang pagkakataon si IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas laban kay No. 15 contender Jose Alfredo Rodriguez ng Mexico sa Enero 29 sa Studio City Casino Resort sa Macau, China.
Sa pahayag ng adviser ni Ancajas na si Sean Gibbons kay boxing writer Dan Rafael ng ESPN, kinumpirma nitong idedepensa ng 24-anyos na Pilipino ang titulong natamo nang pabagsakin sa 8th round at talunin sa 12-round unanimous decision ang walang talong Puerto Rican na si McJoe Arroyo nitong Setyembre 3, 2016 sa Taguig City.
“This fight with Rodriguez has been in the works for the last few weeks, and now it’s time to get Jerwin busy,” ani Gibbons. “He is one of the best at 115 pounds in the world, and with a little more experience, he’ll be right there with all the top guys in the division, guys like [WBC titleholder] Roman Gonzalez and [former WBC titlist Carlos] Cuadras. He just needs a little more experience.”
Idiniin ni Gibbons na kailangan lamang ni Ancajas ng tamang exposure para maisabak sa tulad nina Gonzalez at Cuadras.
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“A lot of people may not give him the credit he deserves for the win against McJoe Arroyo, but Jerwin beat one of the top-four guys in the division. Arroyo was undefeated going into the fight. That was a real fight,” sambit ni Gibbons.
“This kid just needs some exposure. He’s good, he’s exciting, and he’s left-handed with power just like his promoter, Manny Pacquiao. He likes to mix it up and engage and give fans a good fight.”
Ayon kay Gibbons, may karapatan si Ancajas na maging pangunahing boksingero ng Pilipinas kapag nagretiro na si Pacquiao kaya kilangan niya ang malalaking laban.
“Somebody will step out of Manny Pacquiao’s shadow, and I believe Jerwin has the type of ability,” pahayag ni Gibbons. “He just needs more exposure and needs to get to the U.S., where HBO is doing fights in that division with Gonzalez.”
Dating interim WBA light flyweight champion si Rodriguez noong 2011 na minsang natalo sa kasalukuyang interim IBF light flyweight titlist Milan Melindo nang dumayo siya sa Pilipinas noong 2013 at may kartadang 32-4-0, kabilang ang 19 knockouts kaya mas beterano kaysa kay Ancajas.
May kartada namang 25-1-1 win-loss-draw si Ancajas na may 16 panalo sa knockouts at natalo lamang sa 10-round majority decision kay dating world rated Mark Anthony Geraldo na hindi na nakabalik sa world rankings mula nang matalo sa IBF title eliminator bout kay Arroyo sa Puerto Rico noong 2014. (Gilbert Espeña)
