By Nick Giongco
A crucial meeting in Las Vegas this Saturday will decide if it is feasible to stage a unification fight starring Thai titleholder Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Filipino titlist Jerwin Ancajas early next year.
Globetrotting boxing man Sean Gibbons, who represents International Boxing Federation ruler Ancajas, disclosed that Arum of Top Rank Inc. and Tom Loeffler of 360 Promotions are scheduled to discuss the matter.
Top Rank promotes Ancajas while Loeffler handles the affairs of Sor Rungvisai, the World Boxing Council king.
Interest in pitting the two heightened two weeks ago when Ancajas sat at ringside and watched Sor Rungvisai score a points win over Iran Diaz of Mexico at the Impact Arena in Bangkok.
After the fight, Ancajas climbed the ring to congratulate Sor Rungvisai, who gamely posed for pictures.
Ancajas is coming off a split draw with Alejandro Santiago of Mexico last Sept. 26 in Oakland, California.
Ancajas, the IBF 115-lb ruler the last two years, insists that Sor Rungvisai’s never-say-die attitude on top of the ring, is tailor-made for his calculating style.
Notorious for his paralyzing power, Sor Rungvisai was easily tagged a few times by the feather-fisted Diaz, something Ancajas swears is a major chink in the Thai puncher’s armour.
Joven Jimenez, who manages and trains Ancajas, admits Sor Rungvisai has the edge in power but Ancajas has the advantage in ring savvy.
“Sor Rungvisai can be hit but you got to make sure he doesn’t beat you to the punch because he is simply a hard-hitter,” said Jimenez.
