Ancajas tackles Casero after bump off in Pacquiao-Barrios

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Jerwin Ancajas quickly gets a new fight date after his canceled bout in the Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios undercard

LAS VEGAS, USA – Former world champion Jerwin Ancajas continues his quest for redemption when he tangles with Uruguay’s Ruben Casero on Saturday, August 2 (Sunday, August 3, Philippine time) at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California.

Ancajas was supposed to fight in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title clash that ended in a majority draw on July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, but last-minute hitches on his supposed opponent turned him into a spectator.

Rather than sulk, Ancajas and his trainer Joven Jimenez supported fellow Filipinos and MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions fighters Mark Magsayo and Eumir Marcial, who won their bouts via unanimous decision and knockout, respectively.

MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons had promised Ancajas, who holds a 36-4-2 record with 24 knockouts, and Jimenez that he would arrange a fight as soon as possible for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight king from 2016 to 2022.

And Gibbons did just that, pitting the 33-year-old Ancajas against Casero, a 32-year-old former WBC South America champion with a 13-4 slate, including 5 knockouts.

Ancajas told Manila-based sportswriters earlier that he would fight anybody, anywhere, just so his preparation and training in Las Vegas and Los Angeles would not go to waste.

“Fortunately, we continued our preparations,” said Ancajas. “I am already in prime condition after spending weeks training with Sir Manny.”

“He inspired me and motivated me to work even harder. If he can do it at 46, I see no reason why I cannot regain my prime form,” added Ancajas, who contemplated quitting fighting after getting knocked out by Takuma Inoue, the younger brother of the renowned Naoya Inoue, in 2024.

“I enjoyed my training and wanted to show my new moves,” said Ancajas, who’s just maintaining weight after making it on July 19. – Rappler.com