Jerwin Ancajas’s training goes on full throttle as he continues to prepare for his ninth title defense against Jonathan Javier Rodriguez on April 10 at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut.
This would be Ancajas’ (32-1-2, 22 KOs) first bout with Premier Boxing Champions or PBC, ran by Al Haymon. It will be televised over Showtime. The fight, which was twice postponed before, would be Ancajas’ first foray back in the ring in more than a year.
The ‘Pretty Boy’ last fought in December 7, 2019, when he won via sixth round TKO against Chile’s Miguel Gonzalez (31-3, 8 KOs). A native of Panabo City, Davao del Norte, the 29-year-old Ancajas has held the title since September of 2016.
The Filipino boxing pride has been training in the Wild Card Boxing Gym in Los Angeles under Joven Jimenez. He recently added 2 more sparring partners in Scrappy Ramirez and Christian Robles, aside from current spar-mate Jonas Sultan. Rodriguez (22-1, 16 KOs) seeks to earn his keep as a mandatory challenger.
Nicknamed ‘Titan’ for his power, the Mexican fighter has won his last six bouts. He stayed active during the pandemic as his last fight took place just last December, a first round knockout win against Julian Yedras. ‘Magnifico’ out to continue magnificent streak Mark ‘Magnifico’ Magsayo (21-0, 14 KOs) has also been added to the Showtime card. The undefeated featherweight will face Pablo Cruz (21-3, 6 KOs).
This will be the Bohol native’s second fight in the United States. The 25-year-old won his debut U.S. fight last October 3 in Los Angeles, defeating Rigoberto Hermosillo in a split decision. Magsayo, considered as one of the hottest prospects in boxing, has been climbing the ranks steadily.
Magsayo is ranked 5th among featherweights by IBF, 6th by WBC, and 9th by WBO and WBA, as of March 9. Cruz is a 34-year-old Houston native nicknamed ‘The Lethal Mosquito.’ He has been busy despite the pandemic-stricken 2020, fighting three times.
He also fought last January, winning via unanimous decision against Jose Luis Graterol. Aside from the Ancajas-Rodriguez and Magsayo-Cruz fights, the Showtime card also features a WBO welterweight match between Jaron Ennis and Sergey Lipinets, and a WBA welterweight fight between Eimantas Stanionis and Thomas Dulorme.
