IBF WORLD TITLE-FIGHT: ARROYO-ANCAJAS WEIGH-IN ON SEPT. 2

By LITO DELOS REYES

MANILA, Philippines (Aug. 30) — International Boxing Federation (IBF) World super flyweight defending champion McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico and Filipino challenger Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas will finally face off in their official weigh-in on Friday, September 2 at 10 a.m. at the Philippine Navy Gymnasium (Jurado Hall) of the Philippine Marine Corps in Baranggay Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila.

It will be followed by a press conference according to Ancajas’ trainer Joven Jimenez.

The 12-round title-fight, which was postponed several times and had changed venue, will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m. also at the Navy gym. It is free to the public.

The 30-year old Arroyo will only be making his first title-defense of the vacant title he won via a 10^th round technical decision against another Filipino “King” Arthur Villanueva of Bacolod last July 18, 2015 in El Paso, Texas.

Arroyo is undefeated with 17 wins with 8 knockouts while Ancajas, a native of Panabo City, Davao del Norte is toting 24 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw and 16 knockouts.

Ancajas lost his WBO Youth Asia Pacific super flyweight crown to fellow Filipino Mark Anthony Geraldo by a majority decision on March 17, 2012 in Lapu-Lapu City.

Geraldo, however, was beaten via a unanimous decision by Arroyo last December 20, 2014 in a non-title bout in Puerto Rico.

After his setback from Geraldo, the 24-year old Ancajas bounced back with 11 straight wins all via KO or technical knockout.

Ancajas stopped Armando Casa in the 4^th round to capture the Luzproba bantamweight title on August 30, 2013 in Lucena City. He also took the vacant IBF Pan Pacific super flyweight crown by stopping Anukul Promkamsaw in the first round only last May 3, 2014 at the USEP Gym in Davao City.

Ancajas also won in China against against Xu Runlong (2012) and two in Macao against Thai Inthanon Sithchamuang (Tanawat Phonnaku) and Fadhili Majiha of Tanzania (2014).

Arroyo, on the other hand, was a bronze medal in the 2007 World Amateur championships and has represented Puerto Rico in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He is also a former WBO Latino super flyweight champion via a TKO win over Felipe Rivas (2013). Arroyo also beat former WBA world flyweight champ Hernan ‘Tyson’ Marquez of Mexico via an 11^th round TKO last June 14, 2014.