Jonathan Javier Rodriguez rendered Felipe Orucuta comatose then knocked out Julian Yedras in the first round in his last two fights.
Rather than worry about Rodriguez’s punching power, however, Jerwin Ancajas gets excited thinking of what would happen when they finally clash in April for his International Boxing Federation super flyweight crown.
“I saw his (fighting) style and I really want an opponent like him,” Ancajas said in Filipino. “He is determined and isn’t afraid to slug it out.”
Knowing his ninth defense of the 115-pound crown won’t be easy, Ancajas promised to train even harder for the 12-rounder likely to be held in Las Vegas.
“I won’t let the crown slip away,” said Ancajas. “I’ll do everything to win. That no matter what happens, the fans would be satisfied.”
Ancajas, who boasts a 32-1-2 record with 22 knockouts, and Rodriguez (22-1, 16 KOs) are aware of what each other is doing as they’re friends on Facebook.
Most likely, Rodriguez has seen Ancajas in training with Joven Jimenez and sparring with Jonas Sultan, and a few times with Eumir Marcial.
After taking a holiday break with housemates Sultan and Marcial in Las Vegas and Arizona, Ancajas is back to the grind with Jimenez, who has recovered from a recurring bout with fever.
Jimenez resumed mitts session this week with Ancajas, who also disposed of his last two opponents.
Ancajas stopped Ryuichi Funai at the start of the seventh round and Miguel Gonzalez in 6 rounds in his eighth title defense on December 7, 2019, in Puebla, Mexico.
Ancajas was supposed to tangle with Rodriguez on November 2, 2019, but the Mexican met visa issues. They were scheduled to collide last April 11, but the fight got canceled again due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rodriguez gained a fearsome reputation when he pummeled Orucuta, a two-time world title contender, with heavy head blows to win by TKO in the 10th round.
Orucuta underwent an operation to remove a blood clot, was induced into a coma, and spent nearly two months in the hospital before making a full recovery. He will never fight again.
Yedras lasted only 2 minutes and 27 seconds against Rodriguez last December 4.
But for Ancajas, the warning signal doesn’t register. He intends to show Rodriguez who’s the boss then focus on unification with World Boxing Organization champion Kazuto Ioka (26-2, 15 KOs). – Rappler.com
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