Jerwin Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KOs), from Panabo Town, Philippines, and Kazuto Ioka (27-2, 15 KOs), from Tokyo, Japan, will place up their dukes and their respective IBF and WBO junior bantamweight environment titles, when they collide in a planet title unification battle on Saturday, December 31, at the Ota-Metropolis Typical Gymnasium in Tokyo.
Promoted by Shisei Boxing Health and fitness center, Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, TGB Promotions, and Knucklehead Boxing Promotions, Ancajas vs. Ioka – the New Year’s Eve exam to be the ideal of the 115-pound division — will be the newest chapter in the storied Philippines-Japan boxing rivalry.
The two warriors boast a merged history of 60-3-2 (37 KOs) – a sterling winning percentage of 92% with victory by knockout ratio of 62%.
This will be the 10th title defense for Ancajas, who has reigned as IBF junior bantamweight champion considering that 2016. The best highway warrior, fighting in his opponents’ backyard is nothing new for Ancajas who has created title defenses in Macau, Brisbane, Belfast, Mexico, the Philippines, and through the U.S. He will have his palms total versus Ioka, a four-division globe winner who has held environment titles in minimal weight, junior flyweight, flyweight, and junior bantamweight divisions dating again to 2011.
“This is my Desire Battle! I have waited 6 many years for a signature struggle to verify to absolutely everyone in boxing that I am just one of the ideal 115 pounders in the earth,” Ancajas stated. “I have been to Japan, sparring in the past, and really like the folks of Japan and the boxing followers are some of the very best in the entire world. They regard all fighters and root for the most effective man to gain.”
“I have been performing with Jerwin given that he was 10 decades aged. I am quite enthusiastic that lastly the struggle is taking place,” claimed Joven Jimenez, Ancajas’ supervisor and coach. “My purpose, considering the fact that Jerwin gained the IBF World title in 2016, was to get him a important title unification combat. We have labored so tricky for this moment, and we will not be denied.”
“We are quite satisfied that Jerwin Ancajas, just one of our 1st earth champions, is getting this large option to unify his IBF title with the WBO title,” claimed Sean Gibbons, president of MP Promotions. “Jerwin has waited a lengthy time for this type of fight and occur December 31, he will ring in the new year as the NEW IBF and WBO Junior Bantamweight Planet Champion!”