YOKOHAMA, Japan — Jerwin Ancajas gets the opportunity to get back at the Inoue family when he faces Naoya’s younger brother Takuma for the Japanese’s World Boxing Association bantamweight crown on 24 February next year.
“This is a very winnable fight,” Ancajas’ American promoter Sean Gibbons said following Marlon Tapales’ botched bid to become an undisputed champion at super-bantamweight.
Tapales was knocked out by Naoya in the tenth round of a fight held at the Ariake Arena.
Ancajas’ quest takes place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena with the Filipino southpaw favored to score a win that would give the Philippines a rousing start in the new year.
Unlike Naoya, known for his devastating power, his brother Takuma is not a hard-hitter.
With a record of 18 wins against one loss, Takuma, 27, only has four knockouts.
Ancajas, who turns 32 on New Year’s Day, packs a 34-3-2 card with 23 knockouts.
He is currently training in Magallanes, Cavite, in the Philippines with longtime manager and trainer Joven Jimenez.
Ancajas and Inoue were supposed to slug it out last November but the match was postponed owing to an injury sustained by the WBA champion.
