MANILA – Filipino boxer Jerwin Ancajas aims to reclaim the IBF World super flyweight championship he lost to Argentinian Fernando Daniel Martinez in their rematch this weekend at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The Panabo City, Davao del Norte native failed to retain his world championship in his first encounter with Martinez in January after suffering a unanimous decision defeat in Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to Ancajas, unlike in his first meeting with Martinez where he had to catch for weight, he is much prepared this time after spending most of his training camp in the Philippines.
“Talagang maganda ang kundisyon ko ngayon,” Ancajas said in an interview with Play It Right TV. “Talagang hindi ako nakaramdam na parang nag-diet kasi kain pa rin ng kain… kaunti na lang makukuha na namin (‘yung 115-pound limit).”
He added: “Prepared na kami, basta ‘yung kundisyon makuha namin. Kasi baka magkamali na naman ng isang araw, baka mabalewala ang sakripisyo na ginagawa namin. Hanggang sa pagdating ng laban kailangang mapanatili namin ang kundisyon.”
Joven Jimenez, who served as the Filipino boxer’s head coach and trainer, said Ancajas has learned his lesson from his defeat to Martinez and is much ready to reclaim his lost world title.
“Mas naging maayos ang sparring namin compared dun sa una nilang meeting,” Jimenez said. “Lahat din ng gusto namin na sparring ay nagawa namin kasi dito kami sa Pilipinas nag-start ng training.”
The 30-year-old Ancajas will be entering the match with a 33-2-2 win-loss-draw ring record, including 22 stoppage victories, while the 30-year-old Martinez carries a 14-0-0 slate, with eight wins via stoppages.
In the undercard bout, Filipino Olympian boxer Eumir Marcial (2-0-0, 1 KO) is set for his third professional boxing match as he battles American fighter Steven Pichardo (8-2-1, 2 KOs).
The Zamboanga City-native opened his pro-boxing career with a unanimous decision win over Andrew Whitfield in December, 2020 before he followed it up with a fourth round stoppage triumph against Isiah Hart./PN
