Press Release
February 5, 2018

Koko toasts super-flyweight champ Ancajas for successful title defense

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Monday lauded reigning world super-flyweight boxing champion and fellow Mindanaonon Jerwin Ancajas following the latter's successful title defense last Sunday.

The 26-year old Ancajas, who was born and raised in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, dominated Mexican challenger Israel Gonzalez on Sunday, winning via a tenth-round knockout to retain his International Boxing Federation (IBF) 115-pound title at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

"Jerwin Ancajas is the champion of Filipinos and Mindanaonons", said Pimentel.

Ancajas' US debut marked his fourth successful defense of his super-flyweight belt.

He is also the first world champion produced by MP Promotions, owned by Pimentel's party mate Senator Manny Pacquiao.

"Jerwin showed the determination and the 'never surrender' spirit displayed by Senator Pacquiao and other world boxing champions from Mindanao. His victory is another badge of honor for our country", the Senate President added.

Ancajas is a member of an exclusive club of Filipino world boxing champions from Mindanao, which includes Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire Jr., Milan Melindo, and Rolando Navarrete.

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