IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas and trainer Joven Jimenez are set to make their long-awaited trip to the United States on Wednesday in order to focus on a possible fight this November.
Ancajas (32-1-2, 22 KOs) was able to secure his U.S. visa last March, and is set to meet boxing promoter Bob Arum to discuss his next step, according to MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons.
"Hopefully we'll be able to get to the ring in November," said Gibbons, who is in Los Angeles.
The Filipino world boxing champion last fought in Puebla, Mexico in December, a sixth-round TKO of Miguel Gonzalez, and has numerous options in the bag for his next bout.
Ancajas' likely next opponent is IBF mandatory challenger Jonathan Javier Rodriguez. A possible unification bout against WBA "regular" champion Joshua Franco is also on the table. If Ancajas is able to secure a November bout, he will fight in Las Vegas, inside the bubble of Arum's Top Rank promotions.
Being holed up at the Survival Camp boxing gym in Magallanes, Cavite in the past few months, Jimenez bared that Ancajas has been training non-stop.
Ring rust, added Jimenez, should not be an issue, because he and his sparring partners have been helping the boxing champion to stay in shape.
"In Jerwin, we see the performance in training and sparring, it's all there. His condition was there. His eagerness was also there," shared the coach in Filipino. The boxer also added that he has had about over 100 rounds of sparring since the lockdown started last March.
Ancajas furthered that he is ready for any challenge that may come his way, whether it be Rodriguez or another opponent.
"I've seen see [Rodriguez's] style. Coach (Jimenez) and I are also studying how to punch or defend and what to do. When we get into the ring, we will adjust," assured Ancajas.
The titleholder added he will remain in the 115-pound category, but it will all depend on the decision of Gibbons.
"My condition at 115 is still okay. As for my weight, ma'am Janet (his dietician) is there, taking care of our weight. We're still okay."
If Jimenez were to be asked, he would like to see his boxer move up a notch to the bantamweight division, and perhaps the featherweight category in the future.
"It's different gaining weight. Different strength, different opponent, different preparation," explained Jimenez.
However, before moving up, the 28-year-old wants to prove himself as the best among his peers.
"If I can't face other champions in my weight class, I can't say that I'm the best. I won't complete my journey as a fighter if I don't measure up against their talent," explained the prizefighter.
The WBC titleholder is Juan Francisco Estrada. Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez is the WBA's "super" champion", while Japan's Kazuto Ioka is the WBO champion. Both Estrada and Gonzalez will defend their belts on Oct. 23, while Ioka currently has no fight lined up.