Ancajas faces dangerous Mexican today
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 29 Sep 2018
OAKLAND. IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas will earn his biggest paycheck of $140,000 when he takes on Mexican challenger Alejandro Santiago in a 12-round title bout at the Oracle Arena here this morning (Manila time) and the Panabo, Davao del Norte, native, making his sixth defense, is determined to win convincingly to pave the way for a unification showdown against WBC ruler Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand next year.
Ancajas, 26, is aware that a slip-up will ruin his chances of even bigger paydays ahead so he?s not looking beyond Santiago whose corner features celebrated trainer Romulo Quirarte and his three sons. Quirarte, 72, has worked with a slew of Mexican champions, including Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr. and Jr., son-in-law Raul (Jibaro) Perez, Juan Jose (Dinamita) Estrada, Manuel (Mantecas) Medina, Jorge Paez and Antonio DeMarco. Working Ancajas? corner will be Joven Jimenez, Todd Makelim, Delfin Boholst and Bobby Jalnaiz.
Ancajas is expected to unveil the new-found speed and power he gained in training, applying methods learned by Boholst during a five-day Fullerton State strength and conditioning course last May. Boholst, a two-time Asian Games fighter and retired Philippine Army first lieutenant, enrolled in the course to learn new techniques in improving Ancajas? condition. He also consulted Asian Games weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz on tips to strengthen Ancajas? legs, core and shoulders.
?Handang-handa na ako,? said Ancajas. ?Hindi ako nahirapan makuha ang timbang. Tamang-tama lang ang aking preparasyon.? Ancajas went through about 80 rounds of sparring at the Survival Gym in Magallanes, Cavite then tapered off when he arrived here Wednesday last week. At the weigh-in yesterday, Ancajas scaled 114.2 pounds. The night before, he tipped in at 115.6. Santiago scaled 114.6. The superflyweight limit is 115.
Jimenez said Ancajas will take control of the middle of the ring. ?Maliit si Santiago kaya hindi niya kayang dalhin si Jerwin sa lubid at kanto,? he said. ?Mautak si Santiago. Papasok lang siya kung makita niya na napapagod si Jerwin. Nasa timing lang. Mas may diin ang mga suntok ni Jerwin at mas maganda ang kaniyang footwork. Ang babantayan natin ay ang left hook at right straight ni Santiago. Labas-pasok ang gagawin ni Santiago at lalaban ng distansya.?
Jimenez said Santiago?s only chance is to win on points because Ancajas can surely take his power. Ancajas is prepared to go the distance or end it within 12 rounds. Jimenez said Ancajas wasn?t explosive in his last defense against countryman Jonas Sultan so he?s out to put on a dominant performance against Santiago to make up for it.
Santiago, 22, is a dangerous fighter who describes himself as a technician. Quirarte?s experience will be an advantage in making adjustments during the fight. ?I?ve worked hard to prepare for this fight,? said Santiago in Spanish. ?I thank God for this opportunity. I?m calm and confident. I?m ready to win. I respect Ancajas like I respect Manny Pacquiao. I?ll box Ancajas for 12 rounds and use my body punches to wear him down. I started boxing at 14 and turned pro at 16. I?ve been trained by Mr. Quirarte from the start.?
Santiago, one of three children, said he learned boxing from the best trainer. A bachelor, he hopes to earn big money from boxing to support his father Agustin, a hot dog vendor, and mother Elizabeth, a housewife. Santiago has never been stopped, losing twice by decision, one a split, in a record of 16-2-4, with 7 KOs. Ancajas has a record of 30-1-1, with 20 KOs and is unbeaten in his last 17 outings since a majority decision loss to Mark Anthony Geraldo in Cebu in 2012.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WEIGHTS FROM MANCHESTER: CATTERALL - 146.5 LBS., EUBANK - 146.5 LBS.
Sat, 05 Jul 2025Vincent Astrolabio in LA training alongside Manny Pacquiao
By Ace Freeman, Sat, 05 Jul 2025Jason Sanchez Upsets Previously Undefeated Julian Gonzalez in Philly
Sat, 05 Jul 2025Meatball Launches Boxing Career With Matchroom
Sat, 05 Jul 2025The Queens of Philippine Boxing are Training in Cebu
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Raising the Game: Jean Henri Lhuillier’s Unmatched Impact on Philippine Tennis
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025GM Eugene Torre to grace the Asenso Ozamis Open Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025The Second Rise of Jesse Espinas
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Boxing Golden Age Comparison - Philippines and Japan
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kittipong, Magdalena, Kim, Kritiphak Claim Wins in Brico Santig's Show in Bangkok
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kremlev, Crawford, Fury Launch IBA's Golden Era of International Boxing
Fri, 04 Jul 2025International Master Angelo Young stays on course for GM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Robby Gonzales and Yoseline Perez Progress to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Fri, 04 Jul 2025Fireworks Ahead: Magsayo vs Mata in Prelims of Pacquiao vs Barrios
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Japan's Boxing Golden Age Remains Limited to the Lower Weights
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 03 Jul 2025