Jerwin Ancajas seeks to regain world boxing crown October 8

DAVAO CITY---Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight champion and Panabo City, Davao del Norte native Jerwin Ancajas is set to regain his world boxing crown when he faces current undefeated Argentinian champion Fernando Martinez on October 8 in Los Angeles.

Ancajas, 30, is happy to be given a chance to face again Martinez, who defeated him and took his belt via unanimous decision last February 26 in Las Vegas.

Earlier, the three judges scored the bout 118-110, 118-110, and 117-111 in favor of the Argentinian, with the Filipino champion succumbing in his 10th title defense.

Ancajas (33-2, 22 KOs) was initially scheduled to fight the three-division world champion and World Boxing Organization titleholder, Kazuto Ioka, of Japan on December 31.

But due to Omicron, Japan has tightened its borders, so the supposed December showdown between Ancajas and Ioka has been canceled.

Before his defeat, Ancajas was considered the longest-reigning world boxing champion in the Philippines.

Ancajas held his championship belt since 2016 and has defended it nine times, the last at a Mexican challenger on April 11.

Anjacajas beat Mexican challenger Jonathan Javier Rodriguez via a unanimous decision at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The professional boxer overcame a lack of air to eke out a win against Rodriguez, who fought gallantly in the entire 12 rounds of their fight.

Anjacas dominated the boxing bout from the get-go, even going down to the canvas with Rodriguez in the eight-round of their fight.(Romeo Braceros Jr.)