Ancajas gets PH Navy award, joins Marcial in Zamboanga training

Jerwin Ancajas learned an invaluable lesson in his recent defense of the International Boxing Federation super flyweight crown against Mexican Jonathan Rodriguez at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

It pays to listen to sound advice and be prepared for a long fight in the ring as well as in life.

These were the gist of Ancajas’ acceptance speech, delivered in the vernacular, on Saturday, May 1, when he was given the Gawad Kaunlaran Award by the Philippine Navy at its headquarters along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

In beating Rodriguez via unanimous decision, Ancajas, a Navy reservist with the rank of senior chief petty officer, became the most successful reigning world boxing champion with 9 title defenses.

While Ancajas clearly won, it was evident that he faded in the last 3 rounds.

Ancajas told the reason why: He didn’t follow the instruction of his coach, Joven Jimenez, to just box with Rodriguez.

According to Ancajas he went along with Jimenez up to the fifth round, but starting the sixth up to the eighth, when he knocked down Rodriguez, he got impatient and poured it on.

By the ninth round, Jimenez got mad and let Ancajas do as he pleases.

Ancajas said he thought he could go all the way with ease, but he was wrong. The long inactivity caught up with him and he was riding on fighting instinct and Jimenez’s prodding in the last 3 rounds which went to Rodriguez.

Now, Ancajas knows there should be enough power in reserve up to the final bell.

Ancajas said his experience is applicable to life as you always have to do good and seek God’s guidance because as long as you’re alive the fight isn’t over.

Watching the Marines in training in Zambales and Cavite, according to Ancajas, served as his inspiration and motivation to do his best in boxing.

That’s why Ancajas expressed his gratitude to Philippine Navy Vice Admiral Govannie Bacordo, Philippine Marine Corp commandant Major General Ariel Caculitan, Rear Admiral Adelius Bordado, and Rear Admiral Nichols Driz for always accommodating him and his training team when there’s a scheduled fight.

Ancajas will be flying to Zamboanga City on Sunday, May 2, to join fellow boxer Eumir Marcial in his training for this year’s Tokyo Olympics.

Jimenez and Jonas Sultan, who served as Ancajas’ main sparring partner for the Rodriguez bout, accompanied Marcial to his hometown where he is now under the wings of Junnie Navarro and the city government.

The Navarro family had thrown its full support to Marcial as its patriarch, the late Lando Navarro, who was a key figure in Zamboanga’s sports development, used to reward Marcial every time he bags a win after seeing his exceptional potential even in his tender years. 

And now that success is within Marcial’s reach, the Navarros continue to honor their patriarch’s commitment. They shouldered all expenses of Marcial’s entourage and refurbished a boxing gym with complete training equipment.

“I am very grateful to the support of the Navarro family and the Zamboanga Valientes, because of them I was able to train in my hometown,” Marcial said of the Navarros, who also own the Valientes basketball teams. “This opportunity gives me more inspiration to do my best to win the gold for my city and country.”

The Zamboanga City government, through Mayor Beng Climaco and Councilor Pinpin Pareja, is also all out in helping Marcial.

With many rallying behind him, Marcial is all the more pumped up in his pursuit of that elusive Olympic gold. – Rappler.com