Jerwin Ancajas to face Alejandro Santiago on September 29

IBF super flyweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas has his next fight set, and unfortunately, it’s probably not one that’s going to get too many people excited.

Ancajas (30-1-1, 20 KO) will make a title defense on September 29, live on ESPN+, against Mexico’s Alejandro Santiago (16-2-4, 7 KO), a 22-year-old fighter coming off of a 10-round draw against Jose Martinez in March.

It is, frankly, another disappointing opponent for the 26-year-old Ancajas, who is one of the best fighters in one of boxing’s best divisions, but due to his deal with Top Rank, is away from most of the 115-pound division’s biggest names and best fighters. Those fighters are often featured on HBO, and Top Rank does all their TV business through ESPN at this point, resulting in Ancajas not getting the fights he deserves. (This is not really meant as a shot at Top Rank, by the way. It’s just the reality of TV contracts and situations.)

Ancajas last fought on May 26, outpointing mandatory challenger Jonas Sultan, a fellow Filipino, in a fight that was never really in question. He also defended in February, beating Israel Gonzalez by 10th round TKO.

Santiago has zero quality wins in his career and isn’t a real contender, but he’s basically gone even against his best opponents, save for a couple of losses back in 2013 and 2014. Hopefully, he’ll surprise and prove worthy of the fight.