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Jerwin Ancajas has no plans of climbing to the crowded bantamweight division.
His focus is on defending the International Boxing Federation super flyweight crown against Mexican Jonathan Rodriguez.
Ancajas and prime prospect Eumir Marcial will leave for Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 30, hopeful that their fights can finally be booked once they are already in the United States.
That’s the primary requirement given by Top Rank Promotions to MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions head Sean Gibbons for Filipino fighters to be included in cards returning in many states despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the Ancajas-Rodriguez bout has long been set, it has been moved many times due to the still unstable situation.
Admitting the schedule of Top Rank for October and November is already filled, Gibbons sees Ancajas’ ninth title defense happening in December.
“We could get a December date,” said Gibbons in a virtual press conference staged by Big Boss Cement, Ancajas’ chief backer, and hosted by former PBA commissioner Noli Eala.
“It’s really very, very difficult under the present setup. The biggest key is getting to the US.”
Joven Jimenez, Ancajas’ chief trainer, will be flying with Ancajas and Marcial, the three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist who’ll be making his pro debut in the US.
According to Gibbons, Ancajas and Marcial will be training at the famed Wild Card Boxing Club of Freddie Roach in Hollywood.
It will be a reunion of sorts for elite Filipino fighters as Mark Magsayo is also training at the same venue for his October 3 bout with Mexican Rigoberto Hermosillo at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
According to Ancajas, he has trained continuously in different places – Iligan City, Cavite City, and Magallanes, Cavite – and is ready to fight again in the US.
Jimenez said he and the rest of the boxers of Survival Camp made sure Ancajas gets all the help and support so that he won’t be hit with low morale.
“We adjust our training based on Jerwin’s mood,” said Jimenez. “When he’s feeling down, I don’t push him.”
Though he appears to have become muscular, Ancajas said he’s not really heavy, weighing around 136 pounds, 21 pounds over the limit.
By his estimate, Ancajas said he has sparred over 100 rounds – the most in his career – with Jimenez pitting him against many spar mates with different styles.
“As always, I will make adjustments in the ring,” said Ancajas.
For his part, Marcial said he feels some pressure and is excited knowing he’ll be trained by Roach, who is already enshrined in boxing’s Hall of Fame.
Gibbons said the real goal is to prepare Marcial for the Tokyo Olympics and the gold medal. Ancajas and Marcial will have to do different missions together. – Rappler.com
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