Ancajas in for long US haul

MANILA, Philippines — IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas left Manila for Los Angeles yesterday morning with manager/trainer Joven Jimenez and assistant trainer Fernando Parcon, ready to stay in the US for the long haul if there are fights on the table. There is nothing definite in Ancajas’ schedule but MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons is arranging to set his ninth title defense against mandatory challenger Jonathan Rodriguez of Mexico before the year ends.

Ancajas said he can’t wait to get back in the ring. He was booked to face Rodriguez in Las Vegas last April but the fight was cancelled because of the pandemic. Ancajas said he hasn’t slacked off from training. “Sobrang excited akong lumaban uli,” he said before boarding the All-Nippon Airways flight to L.A. “Malamang si Rodriguez ang kalaban ko. Kung ready na siya, mas ready ako. Sa haba ng training, gumanda ang aking kondisyon at lumakas ang power ko.”

Jimenez said they’re prepared to spend the holidays in the US away from family. “Kung lumaban si Jerwin sa November, hindi na kami muna babalik sa Pilipinas,” he said. “Mahirap yung biyahe ng biyahe kasi nagiingat din kami sa pandemic. Pagkatapos lumaban si Jerwin, pahinga ng dalawang linggo tapos balik sa training at laban uli after three months.” Ancajas said he’s willing to sacrifice not being with his wife and three kids for an extended period. “Depende na ‘yan kay Sir Sean,” he said. “Kung anong advice niya, susunod kami.”

Ancajas said he now weighs between 132 to 135 pounds and it shouldn’t be difficult to go down to 115 in six weeks of hard training. He said he’s inspired by the recent win of WBO bantamweight champion JohnRiel Casimero. “Magandang pagkapanalo ni Casimero, sana magaya ko pero ‘di ko kaya mag push-up sa ring,” he said.  Gibbons will move to Las Vegas with the Ancajas team the day after Mark Magsayo’s fight against Mexico’s Rigoberto Hermosillo at the Microsoft Theater in L.A. this Saturday.  “Jerwin will see Casimero in Vegas,” said Gibbons.

Tokyo Olympic qualifier Eumir Marcial was initially booked to leave with Ancajas but delayed his departure to await his travel order from the military.  He will train with Freddie Roach and strength/conditioning coach Justin Fortune at Wild Card. A plan is for Marcial to make his pro debut in a four-rounder in a Tom Brown promotion in L.A. on Nov. 14. Marcial is ticketed to leave L.A. back to Manila on Nov. 30.