Manny Pacquiao's long-time promoter Bob Arum is confident he could turn Jerwin Ancajas into a star in the sport.

He made the conclusion after he sensed similarities between the two fighters.

“I have had the opportunity to be ringside for Jerwin’s fights in Australia and in Macau and I see a lot of similarities to his co-promoter Manny Pacquiao,” Arum said in an article that appeared on Top Rank Inc.’s official website.

“Jerwin has a killer instinct inside the ring and he is a great finisher. Just look at his record. Jerwin has only gone the distance once in his last 14 fights.”

Ancajas, the reigning world junior bantamweight champion and protégé of Pacquiao, recently signed with Arum's Top Rank. He is scheduled to make his US debut on February 3 against Mexico’s Israel Gonzalez at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The fight will be aired on ESPN.

• READ: Arum dubs Ancajas 'next Manny Pacquiao'

Ancajas is also promoted by Pacquiao’s MP Promotions and managed by his coach Joven Jimenez, who heads Joven Sports.

After winning the crown from Puerto Rico’s McJoe Arroyo in 2016, the Panabo City native had a fruitful 2017 by making three successful title defenses.

In January, he stopped Jose Alfredo Rodriguez in 7 rounds before halting Japan's Teiru Kinoshita also in 7 5 months later. Last November, he knocked down Irishman Jamie Conlan several times before finishing him off in the 6th.

Pacquiao said: “Jerwin Ancajas . . . is an exciting fighter who has not reached his full potential.”

• Boxing: Jerwin Ancajas to stake world title vs Mexican foe on February 3

Jimenez said his crew is pleased to have Ancajas sign with Top Rank.

“There was only one choice when we decided to go with a promoter in the United States,” said Jimenez. “Mr. Arum has done so much for Filipino boxing over the years. We are honored to be promoted by him. Also I want to thank co-promoter Manny Pacquiao and MP Promotions for all they have done and we hope to have the tremendous success that our promoter Manny has had in boxing.”

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)