February 5th on DAZN, co-headlining with the Wangek vs. Cuadras rematch. IBF super flyweight title at stake, 10th defense of Ancajas. This is a voluntary defense just meant to keep the champion active similar to Kazuto Ioka vs. Ryoji Fukunaga earlier today (Ioka vs. Ancajas was originally supposed to be the NYE show, before Omicron travel restrictions forced a postponement until next year). Martínez is absent from the IBF top 15, but the Argentinian is ranked #5 by the WBC so he isn't a complete nobody and wasn't just plucked from thin air. He is undefeated yet untested in the pros. If there isn't an upset with the IBF title changing hands, Ancajas is penciled in for a rescheduled date with Ioka in May.
Here's their respective last outings... Fernando Daniel Martínez vs. Gonzalo García Durán: This content is protected Jerwin Ancajas vs. Jonathan Javier Rodríguez Valles: This content is protected
I think this will be on the PBC card with Thurman/Barrios separate from SSR/Cuadras which on the DAZN card with Beefy/Vargas. Ancajas is entering his sixth year as champion and funny for me at least to think that if manages to stay a champ by Summer of 2023, he will beat Galaxy's reign and become the longest ever 115 pound champ.
Pumita Martínez is a straight up savage, been a fan of his for quite some time. He fights southpaws very well. He's fast, unorthodox, and hard to get the timing or rhythm of. I smell an upset. Ancajas has been asking for an L for quite some time now, he looked very fragile late against Rodriguez. Here's his beatdown of Dumezweni. This content is protected
Well with our luck what will probably happen is Pumita will dominate only for Pretty Boy to retain with some 118-110 garbage and then proceed to unify with Ioka in what ought to be a "Battle of Cinderella Men made good" between Martínez and Fukunaga.
I know Smith vs. Vargas was actually split off into its own separate card in late January. BoxRec has this one on the Wangek vs. Cuadras II card on Feb 5th.
Not a fan of Ancajas or MP promotion boxers. They got a shady promoter. Ancajas tried his heart out but was no match. Argentinian was too strong. Hope Magsayo takes an L next. Sultan goes alright but he needs to get out Pacnut promotion and join Igis Klimas.
