MANILA – The world title clashes of Filipino boxers Jerwin Ancajas and John Riel Casimero have been postponed by Top Rank in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Top Rank chairman Bob Arum announced the postponement of matches for March and April. He said he was monitoring the situation closely to determine when the matches are to be rescheduled.
“The health and safety of our fighters, staff and ESPN’s incredible production team is the most important thing as we plan our next steps,” Arum said in a statement on Tuesday.
Added the boxing promoter: “We look forward to the day when we can bring our loyal fans world-class boxing once again, but exercising caution is the most prudent thing to do at this moment.”
Ancajas was scheduled to make the ninth defense of his International Boxing Federation super-flyweight championship. He faces Mexico’s Jonathan Rodriguez on April 11 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Casimero, on the other hand, was due to face Japanese Naoya Inoue of Japan in a three-title belt bantamweight unification fight on April 25 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas./PN
