Ancajas dreams of unifying world titles

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino boxing champion Jerwin Ancajas, who once dreamed of winning a title even at a regional level, is now aiming to become the undisputed world champion at 115 pounds.

Ancajas, 27, is the reigning IBF super-flyweight champion, and has defended the crown seven times since winning it in 2016. His next fight will come either late September or early October.

“When I was starting out, I dreamed of winning a regional belt. Now, I’m a world champion. I hope I can unify the belts if I’m blessed,” said Ancajas in Filipino during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Amelie Hotel.

His trainer, Joven Jimenez, said details of his next fight should be known in a week or two.

“We have a timetable. Top Rank is negotiating a fight with WBC champion Juan Francisco Estrada. But we’re looking at three names, including Andew Maloney (Australia, 20-0) and Alexandru Marin (Romania, 18-0),” said Jimenez.

Of the three, both boxer and trainer agreed that Estrada is the most significant fight for the Filipino champion, who is 31-1-2 with 21 knockouts.

“That’s the fight that we want,” said Jimenez in the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel and Pagcor.

The other world titles at 115 pounds are being held by Kazuto Ioka of Japan (WBO) and Khalid Yahai of the United Kingdom (WBA).