Ancajas signs with PBC, defends IBF title on April 10

FILE – 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 — IBF world super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas has signed with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions after more than three years with Bob Arum’s Top Rank.

MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons, who also handles Ancajas’ affairs, confirmed the development Sunday.

“Jerwin is fighting with PBC,” said Gibbons. “He is with PBC as long as they want him.”

Ancajas is now in the same company as former eight-division World champion Manny Pacquiao.

The move to PBC meant that Ancajas’ long-delayed title defense against Jonathan Rodriguez, which is now set on April 10, is now under Haymon’s group.

The 29-year-old Ancajas, who’s training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, was also monitoring the unification bout between champions Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Juan Francisco Estrada.

Mexico’s Estrada ultimately took the split decision victory to take Gonzalez’s WBA (Super) title and unify it with his WBC strap.

“Congratulations to both fighters especially to Estrada who won the fight and also to Chocolatito who had a very good fight,” said Ancajas, who hasn’t fought since stopping Miguel Gonzalez of Chile back in December 2019 in Puebla, Mexico.

Gibbons said that Ancajas is already eyeing a unification bout with Estrada, who also holds The Ring title along with two of the 115-pound championships.