Filipino world champion boxer Jerwin Ancajas is lined up for another title defense penciled in Las Vegas, on April 11.
Ancajas is set to defend his IBF junior bantamweight crown against Jonathan Javier Rodriguez, the Mexican fighter he was originally to battle last November 22.
The Filipino boxer is currently in Dipolog City, where he has been training for months now.
His coach, Joven Jimenez, said they will finally test the rugged Mexican, who was forced to withdraw earlier after allegedly encountering visa problems.
"Mahaba 'yong paghahanda namin noong nakaraan at hindi natuloy. Ngayon tuloy na tuloy na," Jimenez said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
"Nasa magandang kondisyon si Jerwin at tamang target sa training namin. Pa-peak na siya."
Ancajas has already made 8 successful title defenses, the most recent of which was his sixth-round stoppage of Chilean Miguel Gonzalez.
But Rodriguez appears to be a tougher opponent.
He holds a 21-1 record with 15 knockouts. In his most recent fight, he hurt Felipe Orucuta badly that the latter fell into a coma. Orucuta eventually recovered.
Jimenez said that to avoid getting hurt, Ancajas will need to get to Rodriguez first.
"Gusto naming ma-improve pa 'yung power ni Jerwin, pero nandoon pa rin 'yung pag-ingat. At gusto namin na mas agresibo pa," said Jimenez.
Ancajas has a record of 32-1-2 slate with 22 knockouts.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.