American boxing promoter Sean Gibbons is flanked by Jerwin Ancajas (left) and Mark Magsayo (right) after the official weigh-in in Uncasville, Connecticut, USA. Photo from Mark Magsayo’s official FB page
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) world super flyweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas successfully hurdled the test in the official weigh-in to schedule his long-awaited title defense against Jonathan Rodriguez of Mexico tomorrow in Uncasville, Connecticut, USA.
The 29-year old Ancajas, one of the four remaining Filipino boxing world champions, tipped the weighing scales at 114.8 lbs during the official weigh-in held earlier today.
The pride of Panabo City, Davao del Norte, easily got the required weight, while Rodriguez needed to strip off his underwear after he initially weighed in at 115.4 lbs. The 25-year old Mexican got the required weight on his second try.
This will be Ancajas’s ninth title defense after winning it in 2016 against Mexican-American McJoe Arroyo here in the Philippines via unanimous decision.
Ancajas, who holds a record of 32 victories, one defeat, two draws with 22 knockouts, successfully defended the title seven times. He suffered a split draw but retained the title in 2018 after he fought Mexican Alejandro Barrios in Oakland, California.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez, also the reigning WBC FECOMBOX super flyweight champion, will have the biggest break in his boxing career. This will be his first world title shot and first bout to be held outside Mexico.
Rodriguez is on a six-fight winning streak. The only defeat that stained Rodriguez’s record came from fellow Mexican Jose Martin Garcia in 2018 via a split decision.
On the other hand, undefeated Boholano slugger Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (21-0-0,14KOs) weighed in at 126lbs while his opponent, American Pablo Cruz (21-3-0,6KOs), tipped the scales at 127lbs to schedule their 10-rounder non-title duel in the undercard.
/dbs
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