World Boxing Champions Promotions
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.