Next title defense vs. Fernando Martinez an easy fight for Jerwin Ancajas, says analyst

Reigning IBF world super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas should not have any problems in his 10th title defense against unbeaten Olympian Fernando Martinez on February 26, veteran sports analyst Quinito Henson said.

Ancajas, who holds a record of 33-1-2 with 22 knockouts, was supposed to face WBO world super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka in Japan last December. Global travel restrictions brought upon by the COVID-19 Omicron variant, however, cancelled the fight and paved the way for Martinez (13-0, 8KOs) to step up.

"This guy is a brawler, an Olympian, undefeated, but not too much experience behind him. I think this will be an easy defense for Ancajas. I think Martinez is tailor-made for Jerwin," said the Filipino analyst.

"He is an in-your-face type of fighter that doesn't back down so he is just right in front of him. For Jerwin this is the perfect opportunity for him to throw his combinations and show what he has been training so hard for. He wins this I feel by knockout."

MP Promotions is yet to officially announce the venue for the Ancajas vs. Martinez showdown though Henson says that the bout is set to take place at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. And should Ancajas get past Martinez as expected, Ioka awaits him in Japan in April or May.

"I was also told that Sean Gibbons is in touch with Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions," Henson said.

"It looks like once Jerwin disposes of Martinez he will be going for unification against Kazuto Ioka probably in April or May in Japan. Once that fight is made, Jerwin is not going home. He will stay in the US to train for the Ioka fight."

—MGP, GMA News