BONSUBRE: WHO?S NEXT FOR JERWIN ANCAJAS?
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 24 Nov 2017
Jerwin Ancajas got a lot of media attention after his dominant performance in Belfast against Jamie Conlan last November 18. The ease and brutality of the dismantling of his challenger surprised even his trainer and manager Joven Jimenez.
?Nagulat kami na maganda ang kundisyun ni Jerwin kasi nagkasakit siya.? Jimenez told this writer in an internet chat, ?At nasaktan agad si Conlan sa tiyan.? (We were surprised that Jerwin was in good condition on fight night. He was sick. And he hurt Conlan right away in the abdomen.)
But Philboxing correspondent Epifanio Almeda who travelled with Team Ancajas to Belfast expected the outcome.
?I was not surprised because we already figured out how to fight Conlan.? Almeda said, ?Jerwin had vastly improved. Anyone at 115lbs, Jerwin can beat him.?
This was the third defense of the IBF super flyweight world title for Ancajas. All of his defenses were on the road after winning the title at home by unanimous decision against Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo in September of last year.
Jimenez however, feels his prized fighter can still improve. ?He needs to work on his defense. He still gets a little careless.?
There were Filipinos in Northern Ireland supporting Team Ancajas at the SSE Arena. The ongoing diaspora guarantees that every Filipino boxer will have a cheering squad almost anywhere in the world.
?There were those who just arrived in our hotel from Dublin after the fight,? Almeda said, ?The Filipino expats provided a festive atmosphere in our post-fight celebration, We didn?t sleep. Walang tulugan.?
So what?s next for Ancajas?
?Hintay ko pa si Sir Manny.? Jimenez answered. (I am waiting for the decision of Sir Manny.)
Manny is of course, Sen. Manny Pacquiao. The 25 year old Ancajas is promoted by Pacquiao?s MP Promotions.
Almeda expects Ancajas to be part of the talent-rich super flyweight tournament in 2018. Names like Naoya Inoue, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, Khalid Yafai, Juan Francisco Estrada and Carlos Cuadras guarantee a lot of money-making options for Ancajas.
There is also the looming all-Filipino showdown against Jonas Sultan. Whether you are for or against the all-Pinoy title showdown, this fight is for the history books. While Ancajas may be due for a home defense, the U.S. market is obviously the more profitable option.
Ancajas and Jimenez are also co-managing the career of Mark Anthony Barriga (7W-0L,1KO) who captured the WBO International minimumweight title against Thai Wittawas Basapean in Beijing last September.
Almeda believes Barriga will be the next big Filipino star. The 24 year old Barriga, a 2012 Olympian, did impress the Chinese boxing officials and fans in Beijing as well as international matchmaker Sean Gibbons.
The future looks bright for Ancajas (28W-1L-1D,19KO?s), if his team play their cards right. His boss Manny Pacquiao became a boxing icon by beating the more established stars of the sport. Ancajas is in a good position to duplicate that feat if he keeps on winning.
Photo: Jerwin Ancajas poses with IBF president Darryl Peoples in Belfast.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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