There are two possible fights waiting for Jerwin Ancajas when he and Eumir Marcial finally get to leave for the United States today (Wednesday).
It’s either he meets Jonathan Javier Rodriguez, or he gets into a showdown with Joshua Franco when he and Marcial finally reaches Los Angeles and hooks up with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card gym.
MP Promotions’ chief Sean Gibbons said this following a virtual sendoff for both boxers yesterday.
“We have a mandatory setup with Rodriguez. That’s there. But something is happening with World Boxing Association champion Joshua Franco in his unification fight. That’s on the table also,” said Gibbons.
The 28-year-old Ancajas, the reigning International Boxing Federation junior feather champion, is hoping to get a bout by November.
And he has not had a fight since December 7 after fighting Miguel Gonzalez in Mexico.
He spent six months in lockdown after flights from the Philippines to the US were cancelled to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Rodriguez has not had a bout against anybody since December as well, when he won technical knockout over Felipe Orucuta.
On the other hand, a unification clash is also up in the air with Franco, the WBA titleholder.
Franco dethroned former world champion Andrew Moloney last June 23, and Moloney is seeking a rematch.
Ancajas said he has stayed in shape, while in home quarantine with his coach and manager Joven Jimenez.
“Masaya ako at matutuloy na ako sa pag-alis. Pinaghandaan talaga namin ito ni coach,” said Ancajas.
Marcial, who is one of five national athletes who can earn the country’s first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo next year, will get ready to go on the ring and get at least three professional fights before the Olympics next year.
Time may be running out, but Gibbons is making arrangements so that these three bouts against not-so-prominent fighters will happen to allow him to stay prepared for the Olympics.
“May konting pressure at excitement. Marami kasing Pilipino ang nag-hihintay sa aking laban bilang professional,” said Marcial.
