ANCAJAS, RODRIGUEZ MAKE WEIGHT IN MACAU

*IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas submitting his weight.*

DEFENDING International Boxing Federation (IBF) world super flyweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas of the Philippines and his Mexican challenger Jose Alfredo Rodriguez both made their weight for their title fight on January 29 at the Cotai Arena of Venetian Resort in Macao.

Ancajas, a native of Panabo City, Davao del Norte tipped the scales at 114 lbs. while Rodriguez submitted 114.6 lbs. for their 12-round championship bout. It will be Ancajas’ first title defense of the crown he took away from Puerto Rico’s McJoe Arroyo via a convincing unanimous decision last Sept. 3 in the Philippines.

The 24-year old Ancajas (25-1-1-16 knockouts) is confident of retaining his title but will not take the Rodriguez lightly.

“Handa na kami. Malakas at magaling ang kalaban kaya’t hindi kami puede mag kumpiyansa,” said manager-trainer Joven Jimenez in a chat message on Facebook.

“Go kami for UD (unanimous decision),” added Jimenez, who will be joined at the corner during the fight by his assistants Rey Dulay and Todd Makelim and Ancajas’ sparring partner Drian “Gintong Kamao” Francisco.

*Ancajas with manager-trainer Joven Jimenez (without cap), assistant trainer Rey Dulay (extreme right) and sparring partner Drian Francisco.*

Rodriguez, who is ranked no. 15 contender has a record of 32 wins with four losses and 19 knockouts. The 27-year-old from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, has won three straight since stepping up to 115 pounds.

Rodriguez, a former interim WBA junior flyweight title holder, previously won a split decision against Edwin Rodriguez to win the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) All America super flyweight title last December 10 at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, Virginia, USA.

The title fight is promoted by MP Promotions International represented by Sean Gibbons with matchmaker Aku Zhang of Sayea Sports Company under the Professional Boxing Commission of China.

The main supporting bout will have the championship bout between Carlos Takam (33-3-1) against Marcin Rekowski (17-4-0) for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title.

Another Filipino boxer Rollen del Castillo (19-13-2) will see action in the undercard against China’s Jing Xiang (10-4-2) in the flyweight division.

The other bouts:

Kuok Kun Ng (10-0) vs. Komsan Polsan (33-5- 1)

Die Hu (2-0) vs. Ya Hong Yu (2-0)

Mingxi Song (debut) vs. Denchana Sakkreerin (6-1-0)