world boxing

Ancajas seeks to regain crown vs Martinez; Marcial tangles with Pichardo

Roy Luarca

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Ancajas seeks to regain crown vs Martinez; Marcial tangles with Pichardo

REMATCH. Jerwin Ancajas (right) thinks he's more ready this time against Fernando Martinez.

ESTHER LIN/SHOWTIME BOXING

Jerwin Ancajas’ camp believes the dethroned Filipino boxing champion can exact revenge against unbeaten Argentine Fernando Martinez

MANILA, Philippines – Given the chance to regain his crown, Jerwin Ancajas is determined to snatch it back from Fernando Martinez who took it away.

Although he got beaten by the Argentine in their first clash in February, Ancajas feels he’s in much better shape, condition, and mindset now for the rematch set on Saturday, October 8 (Sunday, October 9, Philippine time) at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Unlike before when he struggled to make the 115-pound limit, Ancajas did it in a breeze this time, checking in at 114.5 pounds, the same as Martinez, during Friday’s official weigh-in for their International Boxing Federation super flyweight title.

“We (Team Ancajas) are happy because we achieved our goals for this fight,” Ancajas said during their face-off on Thursday, where he towered over Martinez by nearly three inches.

Ancajas was referring to the training and diet charted for him by the Philippine Sports Commission’s nutritionist/dietitian Bianca Estrella for this bout.

Trainer Joven Jimenez and promoter Sean Gibbons are optimistic Ancajas, who totes a 33-2 record with 22 knockouts, would be able to exact revenge against the unbeaten Martinez (14-0, with 8 knockouts).

According to Jimenez, Ancajas did not suffer from cramps during the final stretch of their preparations at Survival Camp as he reduced his workload and volume of training.

Like Ancajas, Martinez is confident of retaining the title and making his countrymen happy and proud.

Martinez said he has kept his feet firmly on the ground and is focused on the fight.

Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial will also be fighting on the same card, facing Steven Pichardo in a middleweight four-rounder serving as a stay-busy fight for the Zamboangueno.

Marcial is out for his third straight win against Pichardo, who holds an 8-2 card with 1 draw. – Rappler.com

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