Coming off KO losses, Ancajas and Tapales target May return

Filipino boxers Jerwin Ancajas, middle, and Marlon Tapales, right, with Jonas Sultan in attendance for Eumir Marcial’s homecoming bout at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.–MARK GIONGCO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Coming off stinging setbacks, Jerwin Ancajas and Marlon Tapales could be back in the ring sooner than later with both former champions being targeted for a May return.

Tapales, who lost the IBF and WBA super bantamweight belts to top pound-for-pound fighter Naoya Inoue last December, said his next fight will be held in Manila against a soon to be named opponent.

Tapales (37-4, with 19KOs), who turned 32 on Saturday, has been keeping himself in shape training in General Santos City.

The Tubod Lanao del Norte native was knocked out by Inoue in the 10th round of their undisputed showdown at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Ancajas (34-4-2, 23KOs) lost in the same fashion in his bid to regain his world champion status, suffering a stunning ninth-round knockout to Takuma Inoue, younger brother of Naoya, at Ryogoku Kokugikan also in Tokyo a month ago.

“They’re planning my next fight, possibly in May. Sir Sean (Gibbons) and coach Joven (Jimenez) have been discussing about it,” Ancajas told INQUIRER.net in Filipino.

Ancajas and Tapales were among the VIPs in attendance for Eumir Marcial’s homecoming fight against Thailand’s Theodsak Sinam at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.