Jerwin Ancajas to defend IBF crown vs Jonathan Rodriguez

Jerwin Ancajas (C) of the Philippines celebrates with his team after defeating Ryuichi Funai of Japan in their 12-round Super Flyweight IBF World Title fight in Stockton, California on May 4, 2019. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines—Jerwin Ancajas is set to defend his IBF World super flyweight title against Jonathan Rodriguez on November 2 in Carson, California.

This will be Ancajas’ eighth defense of his 115-lb title, his second in 2019, that he won against Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo back in September of 2016 in Taguig.

The bout is scheduled at Dignity Health Sports Park and will serve as the co-feature to Miguel Berchelt’s WBC World super featherweight championship bout against Jason Sosa.

“I am looking forward to this fight because Rodriguez brings the Mexican style to his fights, and Mexican and Filipinos make the best fights,” said Ancajas (31-1-2) in Filipino in Top Rank’s press release.

“I want to thank Top Rank, senator Manny Pacquiao and my manager Joven Jimenez for their continued support. It is going to be a war, and to my Filipino fans, I look forward to putting on a show for you in Carson.”

Ancajas is on a 19-fight unbeaten streak, tallying 18 victories in that stretch, and is the third-most active champion behind WBC World heavyweight king Deontay Wilder and WBC World minimumweight titlist Chayapon Moonsri.

Rodriguez (21-1), however, is no pushover after recording five straight wins, four of which ending in knockouts, under his name.