INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas makes his ninth title defense Sunday, April 11, 2021 (PH time), against Mexican challenger Jonathan Javier Rodriguez at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, USA.
Ancajas easily made weight at 114.8 pounds, while Rodriguez was on the dot at 115 pounds during the weigh-in on Friday night.
The 29-year-old Ancajas was supposed to defend his belt against Rodriguez on April 11, 2020, but because of the Covid-19 pandemic the fight was postponed. Ancajas has been training in the US since
October 2020. He has been sparring mainly against former foe Jonas Sultan.
Ancajas last defended his title on Dec. 7, 2019, when he stopped Miguel Gonzalez in six rounds in Mexico.
Rodriguez, the No. 3 rated super flyweight, is coming off a first round knockout of one-time world title challenger Julian Yedras on Dec. 4, 2020.
Ancajas is 31-1-2 with 22 knockouts, while the 25-year-old Rodriguez is 22-1 with 16 knockouts.
Ancajas is one of the six current Filipino world champions from the Philippines along with IBF minimumweight champion Rene Mark Cuarto, World Boxing Association (WBA) minimumweight king Vic Saludar, World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight titlist Johnriel Casimero, interim World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight titleholder Reymart Gaballo and WBA welterweight champion in recess Manny Pacquiao.
Also seeing action on the same card is world-rated featherweight prospect Mark Magsayo.
Magsayo locks horns with Pablo Cruz in an eight-rounder.
Magsayo, who’s training under hall-of-fame coach Freddie Roach, last fought against Rigoberto Hermosillo on Oct. 3, 2020, when he walked away with a split decision win.
Cruz, on the other hand, just came off a unanimous decision win over Jose Luis Graterol on Jan. 30, 2021.
Magsayo is 21-0 with 14 knockouts, while Cruz is 21-3 with six knockouts.