By Steve Kim

IBF super flyweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas (28-1-1, 19 KOs) is set to defend his belt this weekend at the Bank of America Center in Corpus Christi on ESPN.

It's the first fight of a new multi-fight deal the southpaw from the Philippines signed with Top Rank.

This decision means that Ancajas will not be part of the 'SuperFly' series on HBO for the near future.

Sean Gibbons, a representative of Joven Sports (which handles Ancajas) explained to BoxingScene.com - "The reasoning behind it is Jerwin's a work in progress and he has a little more development in him and that thing they just want to toss you in with everybody. This way we can do it but at our speed, our pace and who's the best promoter in the world for Filipinos? [Top Rank CEO] Bob Arum."

The veteran promoter held a media gathering this past Friday at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California to talk up Ancajas.

"We've got a whole country, we've got a lot of things that add up differently than some of these guys that want to jump into the 'SuperFly," continued Gibbons.

The second edition of that series takes place on February 24th at the Forum in Inglewood, California and it features the WBC 115-pound champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai versus Juan Francisco Estrada..

So what's the plan for Ancajas in 2018?

"We have to do this fight and then we have to do our mandatory against Jonas Sultan and then we pick another fight. Bob has a tremendous series at ESPN right now and the visibility and the viewership," said Gibbons, who then explained another facet of the deal that attracted them.

"ESPN TV5 just started in the Philippines and we're going live to the Philippines. It's about raising his visibility in the Philippines."

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.