TEAM ANCAJAS REMAINS FOCUSED
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 01 Feb 2018
IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas has been getting a lot more media mileage going into his fourth title defense against Mexican Israel Gonzalez in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Compared to his 2016 title win against Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo - a fight that was offered free to the public in Taguig City, Metro Manila - Ancajas is more visible on Philippine television. He has also been the subject of more interviews and articles from American and Filipino boxing writers since arriving in the United States.
?Wow, talaga!?, this was how trainer Joven Jimenez described all the attention that his prized fighter has been getting.
Jimenez told this writer they remain focused and are optimistic about their chances. He is also hoping this will be the start of bigger things for Ancajas.
?Sana palarin pa,? Jimenez said, ?Jerwin is now at 116 lbs. We can get the weight limit already.?
A couple of days going into fight day, February 3 (February 4 Philippine time), the defending champion is just a pound over the division limit.
?We have adjusted to the weather,? Jimenez said, ?It is not as cold as Belfast where we couldn?t even get out. Jerwin stays in the hotel unless there are activities scheduled by Top Rank.?
Jimenez was referring to the fight where Ancajas beat Jamie Conlan by sixth round TKO in Belfast, Northern Ireland last November 18.
Ancajas? defense against Gonzalez (21-1,8KO?s) will be at the Bank of America Center in Texas. This will also be the fourth time that Ancajas (28-1-1,19KO?s) will defend overseas and his debut as a Top Rank fighter.
2017 was a busy year for Ancajas, defending against Jose Alfredo Rodriguez of Mexico (TKO7 in Macao), Teiru Kinoshita of Japan (TKO7 in Brisbane, Australia) and the sixth round victory against Conlan. The Kinoshita bout was on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao?s title loss to Jeff Horn.
Ancajas is one of the only two remaining Filipino champions, the other being IBF flyweight champ Donnie Nietes.
Photo: Jerwin Ancajas (2nd from right) poses with fans in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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