By Nick Giongco
Not looking past mandatory challenger Jonas Sultan, reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas feels he is ripe and ready to take on the 115-lb division’s big names.
“I really think and feel that I am ready for them,” said Ancajas following his fourth defense of the title over the weekend in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Them refers to Thailand’s Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, Mexico’s Juan Francisco Estrada and Carlos Cuadras and Nicaragua’s Roman Gonzalez.
Ancajas is coming off a savage tenth-round knockout of tenth-rated Mexican challenger Israel Gonzalez at the American Bank Center.
Still, Ancajas knows that he has to take care of some more business in the coming months before he gets the chance to take on the top guns and show everyone that they are all on the same page.
Ancajas is mandated to defend against Sultan of the ALA Boxing Club of Cebu and Top Rank head Bob Arum has made it clear that he is focused on making the fight happen in the US.
Talks have begun and Ancajas and Sultan’s camp have both expressed the desire to get a deal in place.
In the meantime, Ancajas will have to stay put and watch some of his targets see action.
On Feb. 24 in Los Angeles, Rungvisai meets Estrada while Cuadras takes on McWilliams Arroyo of Puerto Rico. Only Gonzalez was put on
hold but the Japan-promoted puncher remains a main ingredient of the super-fly battle royale.
For sure, Ancajas will be in front of the TV and looking forward to the day when he gets the opportunity to show everyone what he’s got.