Panabo City, Philippines: Former world champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas continues to push forward in his professional boxing career, showing that he remains a serious contender despite years at the top level. The 33-year-old southpaw has compiled a professional record of 37 wins, four losses and two draws, with multiple victories coming by knockout. Ancajas first gained global recognition in 2016 when he captured the IBF junior-bantamweight world title, a belt he successfully defended several times before losing it in 2022. In his most recent bouts, Ancajas has delivered solid performances, including a decision win in the United States and a stoppage victory earlier this year in the Philippines. The results have helped him rebuild momentum as he continues competing across higher weight divisions. Known for his smooth footwork, accurate combinations and ring intelligence, Ancajas has faced elite competition throughout his career. His experience on the world stage continues to make him a dangerous opponent for both rising contenders and established names. With his recent form, Ancajas remains linked to potential high-profile fights and possible title opportunities. Boxing observers believe another strong performance could place the Filipino veteran back in line for a world championship shot.
Former IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas finds himself at a critical crossroads in his career as he prepares to step back into the ring this Saturday at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. After months of uncertainty and stalled plans, the Filipino southpaw will face Uruguayan contender Ruben Dario Casero in an eight-round junior featherweight bout that could determine his future at the world-title level. A Camp Marked by Uncertainty Ancajas, a native of Panabo City, Philippines, has spent the past three months training in the United States, splitting time between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Initially, the 33-year-old expected to compete on the undercard of the highly anticipated Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios showdown scheduled for July 19. However, repeated rejections of proposed opponents by the Nevada State Athletic Commission forced Ancajas and his team to look elsewhere. One of those rejected opponents was Casero, though promoter Sean Gibbons, president of MP Promotions, noted that California regulators approved the matchup almost immediately. “He was approved in two seconds by California,” Gibbons said. “Sometimes that’s just how boxing works.” A Dangerous Assignment Casero enters the fight with a record of 13-4 (5 KOs) and may not appear to be a marquee name on paper, but he is regarded as a rugged and durable competitor. The 32-year-old has been stopped only once in his career—a first-round TKO loss in 2018—while his other defeats came via lopsided decision, including his lone U.S. appearance against Jorge Chavez last December. “Very tough, durable guy, Ruben,” Gibbons said. “I believe he’ll give Jerwin good rounds.” Ancajas, now 36-4-2 (24 KOs), admits he has not studied Casero extensively but remains confident in his preparation. “I haven’t seen his style, but for sure he’s a good boxer,” Ancajas said. “I’m ready for whatever he does in the ring this coming Friday.” Everything on the Line For Ancajas, this bout represents far more than a tune-up fight. After reigning as IBF champion at 115 pounds from 2016 to 2021—with nine successful title defenses—his career momentum stalled following a ninth-round stoppage loss to Takuma Inoue in a WBA bantamweight title fight in February 2024. Now campaigning at 122 pounds, Ancajas has won two straight and says the move up in weight has rejuvenated him. “I feel much stronger at 122,” Ancajas said. “Before, it was hard for me to make weight.” Gibbons believes the stakes could not be higher. “This fight means everything,” he said. “It’s all or nothing. Jerwin needs to win, and if he does, we’re looking at a world title fight next.” World Title Picture Ancajas is currently ranked inside the top 10 at junior featherweight by the WBO, IBF, and WBA, positioning him well for a potential interim or full world-title opportunity. With undisputed champion Naoya Inoue holding all four major belts, mandatory obligations are expected to create openings across the sanctioning bodies. “At 33, he doesn’t have time to waste,” Gibbons said. “But with a win here, he could be next in line for an IBF or WBA title fight.” Ancajas is fully aware of what lies ahead. “I want to become world champion again,” he said. “I’m always in the gym, always getting ready for a big fight.” Outlook Saturday’s bout may lack the glamour of a title fight, but for Jerwin Ancajas, it could serve as the gateway back to boxing’s elite level. A strong performance against Casero would reaffirm his standing in a stacked junior featherweight division—and prove that the former champion still has plenty left to offer on the world stage. About the Author 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.
The IBF has ordered a junior-featherweight elimination bout between former world champions Jerwin Ancajas and Ryosuke Nishida to determine its mandatory challenger to Naoya Inoue. In a letter this week to representatives of both fighters, IBF Championships Chairman George Martinez said negotiations between Japan’s former bantamweight champion Nishida 10-1 (2 KOs) and Philippines’ former super-flyweight champion Ancajas 37-4-2 (24 KOs) should conclude by September 23. If as deal is not finalized by then, a purse bid will be ordered. Pacheco’s Missing Weapon? “The Bud Light of Mbilli” Take & Why Canelo Has No Belts, No Limits Diego Pacheco keeps winning — but after the weekend, the real conversation isn’t about the result. It’s about the level of resistance. A sharp line summed it up best: Pacheco’s opponent was the “Bud Light of Christian Mbilli.” A comparison that immediately raises questions about testing, development, and what Pacheco still needs to unlock before facing true elite opposition. Monday | Dec 15, 2025 DETAILS Ranked No. 5 in the IBF, Ancajas is coming off an August 2 majority decision victory over Ruben Dario Casero in Long Beach, California, while Nishida lost his IBF bantamweight belt to unbeaten unified champion Juntio Nakatani by TKO after five rounds June 8 in Japan. Nishida is currently ranked No. 8 by the IBF among 122lbs fighters. Undisputed champion Naoya Inoue will defend his belts Monday morning U.S. time versus former unified champion Murodjan “M.J.” Akhmadaliev in Japan. Akhmadaliev is the WBA mandatory challenger. If victorious, Inoue is expected to fight his WBCP mandatory challenger David Alan Picasso in December in Saudi Arabia before a planned showdown with Nakatani in 2026. Lance Pugmire is BoxingScene’s senior U.S. writer and an assistant producer for ProBox TV. Pugmire has covered boxing since the early 2000s, first at the Los Angeles Times and then at The Athletic and USA Today. He won the Boxing Writers’ Association of America’s Nat Fleischer Award in 2022 for career excellence.
