Ancajas Ioka Postponed Due to Omnicron Variant

The new year's eve world title unification battle between junior bantamweight champions Jerwin Ancajas and Kazuto Ioka has been postponed. Promoted by Shisei Boxing Gym, Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, TGB Promotions, and Knucklehead Boxing Promotions, Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KOs), from Panabo City, Philippines vs. Ioka (27-2, 15 KOs), from Tokyo, had the makings of the Fight of the Year, but because of the global spread of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, and Japan's ban against foreign travel to its country, that year will have to be 2022. The New Year’s Eve test to be the best of the 115-pound division -- between IBF champion Ancajas and WBO champion Ioka -- was scheduled to take place Friday, Dec. 31, at Tokyo's Ota-City General Gymnasium.

"Team Ancajas was looking forward to this historic fight against Ioka but understands there are bigger concerns than boxing in Japan and the world with the situation caused by the emergence of the latest variant," said Sean Gibbons, president of MP Promotions. "We remain committed to making this fight happen as soon as possible in Japan."