A different venue, a different opponent.
International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas will defend his title for the sixth time against Mexican fighter Alejandro Santiago, Top Rank announced on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).
The fight will take place at the Oracle Arena — home of the Golden State Warriors — in Oakland, California on September 29 (Manila time) and will headline with a non-title bout between Super middleweight world titlist Jose Uzcategui and Ezequiel Maderna.
Ancajas, who scored a unanimous decision in a historic fight against fellow Filipino Jonas Sultan on May 26 in Fresno, is looking forward to fighting again in the Unites States in front of a large Filipino crowd.
“I am very excited to defend my title in Oakland in front of the great fans there, and I look forward to a great challenge from Santiago,” Ancajas said. “There is a large Filipino community in Northern California, so I expect an incredible atmosphere inside the Oracle Arena.”
The Filipino boxer was initially scheduled to fight on September 14, but with his wife due to give birth during the second or third week of the month, it was moved to the 29th so Ancajas would be around when their daughter gets born.
Ancajas’ coach Joven Jimenez, had earlier said the September 29 schedule is ideal since its gives them more time to prepare, while also allowing his boxer to remain focused with his training without having to worry about his family.
Filipino featherweight contender Genesis Servania (31-1, 14 KOs) is also fighting on the card but his opponent has yet to be determined. Servania, who signed a three-fight deal with Top Rank, is coming off a convincing technical knockout win over Jason Butar Butar at the Survival Instinct: Matira Matibay held in May.