By Francisco Salazar

Jerwin Ancajas has everything in place to look impressive tonight.

A major promotional backing, network television in the United States and in the Philippines, and a fan-friendly style to boot.

All he has to do is win impressively tonight to really make a splash in the deep pool of junior bantamweights and to U.S. boxing fans.

Ancajas will defend his IBF junior bantamweight title tonight against Israel Gonzalez at the Bank of America Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The 12 round bout will precede the 12 round super middleweight bout between WBO titleholder Gilberto Ramirez and challenger Habib Ahmed.

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

Ancajas (28-1-1, 19 knockouts) will be making his U.S. debut after having mostly fought his pro career in his native Philippines and Macao. The southpaw fighter won the IBF title in September of 2016 with a decision win over McJoe Arroyo.

Tonight will mark his fourth defense of the IBF title.

In a country where Manny Pacquiao set the standard of how popular boxing is measured recently in the Philippines, many find similarities with the ‘Pac-Man’ and Ancajas. Both grew up in poverty, are southpaws, and both won a world title in the lower weight classes.

Ancajas is flattered by the notion, but he wants to blaze his own trail.

“I am very honored that I am compared to Manny,” Ancajas told BoxingScene.com over the phone on Thursday. Pacquiao co-promotes Ancajas along with Top Rank.

“Being compared to Manny is great, but I want to be the best Jerwin Ancajas. That is my goal. I want to be the best and to win many more titles.”

Ancajas is heavily favored tonight in his voluntary defense tonight against Israel Gonzalez (21-1, 8 KOs) of Mexico.

With a platform of fighting on ESPN tonight, Ancajas would want to make an impressive statement to the other fighters at 115 pounds and to hardcore and casual boxing fans.

“I am prepared to fight 12 rounds and win by decision,” said Ancajas. “If the opportunity to win by knockout is there, I will do my best to end the fight and win impressively.”

According to manager Sean Gibbons, Ancajas’ bout will be televised live to the Philippines, which would be mid-Sunday morning. It will be the first time Ancajas’ bout will be broadcast live from throughout the Philippines from abroad.

With an impressive and breakthrough performance tonight, Ancajas may be on his way to becoming the next Filipino boxing star. Everything is pointed in that direction, including fighting in one of the top divisions in boxing.

“I hope to do my best and give the boxing fans on ESPN and Corpus Christi a good show for Saturday night.”

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