By Francisco Salazar

It was announced weeks ago IBF junior bantamweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas will make his U.S. debut on Feb. 3. Now he has an opponent.

Ancajas will face Israel Gonzalez of Mexico, manager Sean Gibbons told BoxingScene.com.

The 12 round bout will take place at the Bank of America Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The fight will precede the 12 round super middleweight bout between WBO titleholder Gilberto Ramirez and Habib Ahmed.

Both fights will air live on ESPN (10:15 p.m. ET/ 7:15 p.m. PT).

“Jerwin Ancajas, the IBF junior bantamweight world champion and MP Promotions’ first world title holder, is an exciting fighter who has not reached his full potential,” said Pacquiao.  “I am pleased to announce that we will have the opportunity to get worldwide exposure through his upcoming fights being televised on ESPN, with the help of the legendary Bob Arum and Top Rank.  We, at MP Promotions feel that this opportunity will open the floodgates for Jerwin to reach his full potential and continue to bring great honor to the Philippines.  That begins on February 3 in Corpus Christi, Texas, live on ESPN, and we will be with him in every step of the way throughout his journey.”

The southpaw Ancajas (28-1-1, 19 knockouts) will be making the fourth defense of his IBF title against Gonzalez. The fighter from Cavite City in the Philippines stopped Jamie Conlan in his last bout on Nov. 18 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

"I am thrilled to have Mr. Arum and Top Rank promoting my career in the United States," said the 25-year-old Ancajas. "As a Filipino boxer, there is no higher honor than to have Mr. Arum and Top Rank Boxing promoting you. I look forward to following in the footsteps of my idol and promoter Mann Pacquiao. I want to be a champion for a long time."

Feb. 3 will also mark Ancajas' first fight under the Top Rank banner. Promoter Bob Arum sent out a tweet Thursday, announcing Ancajas' fight on ESPN.

"I have had the opportunity to be ringside for Jerwin's fights in Australia and in Macau," said Arum. "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." 

Gonzalez (21-1, 8 KOs), who resides in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, stopped overmatched Reymundo Hernandez in his last bout on Nov. 3. His most notable victory was a 10 round unanimous decision over former world junior flyweight titleholder Ramon Garcia Hirales on Oct. 29 of last year.

Gonzalez, who has won his last eight bouts, is ranked number 10 by the IBF.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, RingTV.com, and FightNights.com. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing