Ancajas vs Ioka unification bout postponed due to Omicron travel restrictions

The upcoming unification bout between reigning IBF world super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas and WBO world super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka has been postponed due to travel restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

The pair of 115-pounders were scheduled to duke it out on December 31 at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo. Japan, however, closed its borders to foreign travelers, forcing the bout’s handlers to postpone the contest to an indefinite date.

“Team Ancajas was looking forward to this historic fight against Ioka but understands there are bigger concerns than boxing in Japan and the world with the situation caused by the emergence of the latest variant. We remain committed to making this fight happen as soon as possible in Japan,” said MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons.

Along with Ancajas vs. Ioka, the unification between IBF world middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin and WBA world middleweight champion Ryota Murata which was slated for December 29 was also canceled.

—JMB, GMA News