Pinoy boxer Ancajas to get overdue IBF title shot against Arroyo in Cavite

Ryan Songalia

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Pinoy boxer Ancajas to get overdue IBF title shot against Arroyo in Cavite
Jerwin Ancajas will get his much-delayed shot at the IBF junior bantamweight title against Puerto Rico's McJoe Arroyo on September 3

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing contender Jerwin Ancajas will finally get his mandatory shot at IBF junior bantamweight titleholder McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico after a new date of September 3 was set, Ancajas’ manager/trainer Joven Jimenez tells Rappler.

The fight will take place at Strike Coliseum in Bacoor, Cavite, Philippines, not far from where the Davao del Norte native now resides.

Ancajas (24-1-1, 16 knockouts) and Arroyo (17-0, 8 KOs) were originally slated to meet on April 6 after matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz, acting on behalf of Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, issued the only bid for the event at the IBF minimum of $25,000 at the purse bid in February.

Arroyo, who hasn’t fought since defeating Filipino boxer Arthur Villanueva to win the vacant title a year ago, withdrew from the original date citing an injury to his left hand. Ancajas’ camp accused Arroyo and promoter PR Best Boxing of delay tactics in an attempt to relocate the fight outside of the Philippines to the United States.

Jimenez tells Rappler that the New Jersey-based International Boxing Federation (IBF) had given Arroyo 60 days as of June 30 to face his mandatory challenger or be stripped of the title.

Arroyo told BoxingScene.com earlier this week that he had hoped the fight could be staged July 30 underneath the WBA junior featherweight title fight between Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

“The date was attempted, but there was never a sure thing,” Arroyo was quoted. In the same interview, Arroyo voiced his displeasure over a bid not being placed by his own camp to promote the fight.

“I have to consider whether I should go to the Philippines to risk the title,” Arroyo said.

Ancajas, who is currently training with Jimenez in Tanay, Rizal, Philippines, has won his last 11 fights – all by knockout – since his lone defeat, a majority decision loss to Mark Anthony Geraldo in 2012.

The Philippines currently has 3 boxing champions, including WBO junior featherweight titleholder Nonito Donaire Jr, IBF flyweight titleholder Johnriel Casimero and WBO junior flyweight titleholder Donnie Nietes.

Peter Rivera, vice president of PR Best Boxing, did not respond to an email seeking comment by the time of this article’s publication. – Rappler.com

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