Jerwin Ancajas will defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight crown against dangerous Mexican Alejandro Santiago Barrios on Sept. 29 in California.
According to his manager Joven Jimenez, the tentative venue is in Oakland, instead of Fresno, and will be shown on ESPN+ which also carried Manny Pacquiao’s July 15 fight against Lucas Matthysse.
It will be the sixth title defense for the 26-year-old Ancajas, whose latest conquest was compatriot Jonas Sultan last May, the first time in nearly a century that Filipinos vied for a world title.
Jimenez said they have yet to sign the dotted line, although it was already confirmed by international match maker Sean Gibbons.
Ancajas, widely regarded as heir apparent to Pacquiao on account of his massive punching power, has a record of 30 wins one loss and one draw, with 20 stoppages.
The Mexican (16-2-4, 17 KOs) will be fighting for the first time outside his country.
Ancajas knocked out Mexican Israel Gonzales in Texas early this year, capping a four-fight knockout binge.