MANILA – Filipino boxer Jerwin Ancajas’ supposed eighth IBF world super flyweight belt defense against Mexican Jonathan Javier Rodriguez this morning in California has been postponed.
In an advisory, Top Rank Promotions said Rodriguez was not able to arrive in California due to visa issues that caused him to fail to complete his medical requirement.
Instead, Ancajas will make his eighth defense of his world championship on Dec. 8 in Mexico as part of the undercard fight headlined by world super-bantamweight champion Emmanuel Navarrete.
“Nakakalungkot lang na hindi matutuloy ‘yung laban ko dahil matindi na ‘yung naging preparation ko,” Ancajas said. “But ganun talaga. Things happen for a reason kaya prepare na lang ako sa aking next fight.”
Ancajas won his world title by defeating Puerto Rican veteran McJoe Arroyo in September 2016 at the Philippine Marine Corp. in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. He has since defended the belt seven times.
The Panabo City, Davao del Norte native currently holds an impressive 31-1-2 win-loss-draw ring record, including 21 KO wins./PN
