Ancajas to defend IBF throne today; Magsayo fights in the undercard

CEBU, Philippines — Filipino champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas will put his IBF super flyweight belt on the line against

Mexican challenger Jonathan Javier “Titan” Rodriguez on Saturday night (Sunday morning, Phl time) at the

Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The 29-year-old Ancajas will make the ninth defense of the IBF crown he seized with a unanimous decision victory over Puerto Rico’s McJoe Arroyo on September 3, 2016 at the Jurado Hall of the Philippine Marine Corps in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Ancajas, seeing action for the fifth time on US soil, parades a 32-1-2 record with 22KOs, while Rodriguez, fighting for the first time outside of his homeland, carries a 22-1 mark with 16KOs.

Before Ancajas steps into the ring, his countryman Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (21-0, 24KOs), ranked No.5 by the IBF, No.6 by the WBC, No.8 by the WBO, and No.10 by the WBA at featherweight, will slug it out with Pablo “The Lethal Mosquito” Cruz (21-3, 6KOs) of Houston, Texas.

The 25-year-old Magsayo, who pounded through a split decision victory over Rigoberto Hermosillo in his previous match on October 4 last year at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, is heavily favored but the pride of Tagbilaran City must be extra cautious as Cruz in on a hot streak, winning seven of his last eight bouts.

Vicelles moves up in WBC rankings

Omega Gym’s unbeaten light flyweight prospect Ronnie Mark “Thunder” Vicelles moved a notch higher in the most latest rankings released by the World Boxing Council.

From No.9, Vicelles climbed to No.8 in the WBC’s 108-pound division. He is sandwiched by fellow countrymen Edward Heno at No.7 and former two-time world title challenger Milan Melindo, who now occupies the ninth spot.

Vicelles is coming off a smashing fourth round stoppage of Boholano journeyman Richard Rosales in Omega’s “Kumbati 8” card last March 28 to stretch his perfect record 13-0 spiked with seven knockouts.

“The Bomb” Araneta  lands in South Africa

IBF No.4 light flyweight contender Christian “The Bomb” Araneta of Cebu’s Omega Gym has arrived in South Africa for a crucial fight to weeks from now.

The Borbon, Cebu-native Araneta was with his trainer Julius Erving Jungco and Omega Sports Promotions Vice President Jerome Calatrava.

Araneta (19-1, 15KOs) will take on South African power-hitter Sivenathi Nontshinga (9-0, 9KOs) in an IBF eliminator topbilling Rumble Africa’s “Boxing Lockdown” on April 25 at the Boardwalk Hotel in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

The winner will earn a mandatory shot at reigning IBF champion Felix Alvarado of Nicaragua.