Jerwin Ancajas title defense now set for April in Las Vegas
Jerwin Ancajas of the Philippines gestures to fans 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’ title defense against Mexican challenger Jonathan Javier Rodriguez will push through after all.
Originally slated last November then moved to February, the super flyweight bout is now reportedly slated on April 11 at Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and will be shown on ESPN.
The Filipino boxing champion will defend his IBF world title for the ninth time.
Rodriguez (21-1, 15 KOs) is expected to provide a tough challenge for Ancajas, whose past two fights ended quickly.
Ancajas (32-1-2, 22 KOs) last fought in December when he dominated Miguel Gonzalez in just six rounds in Puebla, Mexico.
The 24-year-old Rodriguez is riding a five-fight streak with four stoppages during the stretch.
The fight was postponed last November after Rodriguez failed to secure a US visa. The clash was then scrapped as part of the undercard of the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder rematch last month.
