Jerwin Ancajas understands the importance of staying ready.
The former IBF junior bantamweight titleholder has been in the United States for the past three months, alternating between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, getting ready for a fight that he expected would be on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios on July 19. When the Nevada commission declined to approve a handful of his opponents, Ancajas was left to look for another date.
That ordeal brings him to this Saturday, when he will face Uruguayan fighter Ruben Dario Casero in an eight-round fight at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. Casero, 13-4 (5 KOs), was one of the names presented to and rejected by the Nevada commission, though promoter Sean Gibbons says he was approved “in two seconds” by California.
“I haven’t seen his style, but for sure, he's a good boxer,” said Ancajas, 36-4-2 (24 KOs) southpaw from Panabo City, Philippines. “But I’m ready for whatever he does in the ring this coming Friday.”
“Very tough, durable guy, Ruben,” added Gibbons, president of MP Promotions. “I believe he’ll give Jerwin good rounds.”
Casero, 32 and one year younger than Ancajas, doesn’t outwardly appear to be a high-profile matchup. He has been stopped only once – a first-round TKO to Kevin Luis Munoz in 2018 – while his other three losses were shutout decisions, including in his lone bout on U.S. soil, against Jorge Chavez last December. Still, Gibbons says there is a lot at stake for Ancajas, who made nine defenses of his 115lbs title between 2016 and 2021.
“This fight means everything,” said Gibbons. “It’s all or nothing; you can’t afford to lose in a fight like this.
“Jerwin needs to come out of it with a win, and then we’re looking at a world title fight in his next fight. At 33, he doesn’t have time to waste, but if he wins the fight, he’s in line for an IBF or WBA [title fight].”
Gibbons says that Ancajas, who is ranked in the top 10 at 122lbs by the WBO, IBF and WBA, would likely be in position to fight for an interim title, as undisputed junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue won’t be able to fulfill all of the numerous mandatory challenges he is due as the holder of four major titles.
Ancajas, who has won two straight since losing a ninth-round stoppage to Takuma Inoue for the WBA bantamweight title in February 2024, says he feels much stronger at 122lbs after struggling to make weight at lower divisions.
Ancajas says that, with a win, he would be ready to step back into the world title picture.
“I want to become world champion again,” Ancajas said. “I’m always in the gym getting ready for a big fight.”
Ryan Songalia is a reporter and editor for BoxingScene.com and has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler, The Guardian, Vice and The Ring magazine. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at ryansongalia@gmail.com or on Twitter at @ryansongalia.
