
The long wait is over for Jerwin Ancajas as he gets to defend his IBF world super flyweight title against Jonathan Javier Rodriguez of Mexico on April 10 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Originally set in November 2019, the fight between the Ancajas and Rodriguez is finally happening which will serve as the opener of a triple-header fight card.
"Excited na akong makabalik sa ring. Matagal tagal na akong di nakalaban kaya excited na talaga ako (I’m excited to go back to the ring. It’s been a while since I last fought that’s why I’m really excited),” Ancajas said in a report by ABS-CBN News.
The last time the 29-year-old Ancajas fought was when he knocked out Chile’s Miguel Gonzalez in the sixth round back in December 2019.
Prior to that, there were attempts to have the Ancajas-Rodriguez duel.
The victory improved Ancajas’ ring record to 32 wins with 22 by way of knockout with one loss and two draws. The southpaw is hoping to defend the title for the ninth time.
Last year, the fight was twice canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
To prepare for Rodriguez, Ancajas is training with Hall of Famer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California, and he has sparred in 8-rounders with training partner Jonas Sultan.
The 25-year-old Rodriguez, on the other hand, won against compatriot Julian Yedras last December 4 in Las Lomas, Monterrey. He has a ring record of 22 wins, 16 in KOs and one loss.
The Ancajas-Rodriguez fight is part of a triple-header with the main event featuring American Jaron Ennis and Russian Sergey Lipinets.