Jerwin, Eumir to headline big card

Plans are underway to stage a blockbuster boxing card featuring Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial in the main event and former IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas in the chief aperitif sometime in December. Organizers are mulling a Dec. 14 show but a possibility is to hold it on ring icon Manny Pacquiao’s birthday on Dec. 17.

Since returning from the Paris Games, Marcial has not left Manila and is ready to resume his pro career. His record is 5-0 with three KOs and his most recent pro outing was a fourth-round dis-posal of Thailand’s Thoedsak Sinam at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last March.

Ancajas recently defeated Thailand roughhouser Sukpraserd Ponpitak by a fifth-round disqualification on “Blow By Blow” at the Mandaluyong City College gym. It was his first bout since a failed attempt to wrest the WBA bantamweight crown from Takuma Inoue last February. It was also Ancajas’ debut as a featherweight after dominating the 115-pound division for six years. Ancajas scaled 125 1/4 pounds, the heaviest in his career, and while he appeared a bit slow, his power was impressive.

“Dala ni Jerwin ang lakas niya sa 126,” said his long-time coach Joven Jimenez. “Bagsak si Ponpitak sa first round at ilang beses siya na-groggy kaya wrestling na lang ang ginawa.” Ponpitak was warned repeatedly by referee Alfie Jocosol for throwing down Ancajas and at 2:34 of the fifth, the fight was called off. Jocosol’s patience had run out and Ponpitak was disqualified.

“Noong bumagsak siya sa first round, ‘di ‘ko minadaling tapusin,” said Ancajas. “Magulang siya. Sadya niyang nilabas ang paa para madapa ako.” Ancajas was reluctant to engage closely be-cause of Ponpitak’s tactics. The workout was something he wanted and an early knockout wouldn’t have helped.

Ponpitak, 36, was a lot more experienced than Ancajas and used his guile to try unnerving the comebacking Filipino. The Thai has fought in Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Korea, China, Russia, Australia and Tanzania so he’s no stranger to fighting on foreign soil. His victims include eight Filipinos. Ancajas was the fourth Filipino to beat Ponpitak after Larry Canillas, Mark Mag-sayo and Herlan Gomez.

MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said Ancajas has a lot more to prove before making a move to win another world title. “Jerwinner was pudgy (against Ponpitak) and needs to take his career more seriously,” said Gibbons who watched the fight on TV beside Pacquiao in a London hotel room. “This was something he needed to do, to get back on track. In December, he’d better be in 100 percent shape, he’d better come in at 122, go for a minor belt and show what he still has left. He needs to put on a solid showing. I see Jerwin working to be back in real shape and if we need to fly him to the US to get ready, that’s what we’ll do.”