Arum predicts big things for Ancajas
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 29 Sep 2018
OAKLAND. Top Rank chairman Bob Arum has big plans for IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas and expects nothing less than an impressive performance in his sixth title defense against Mexican Alejandro Santiago at the Oracle Arena here this morning (Manila time).
?Jerwin didn?t put on a spectacular show in his last defense against (Jonas) Sultan,? said Arum. ?That?s understandable. I don?t think it?s a smart idea to pit two Filipinos against each other. Jerwin didn?t want to beat up Sultan so the fight wasn?t as exciting as it could?ve been. It?ll be different against Santiago. Jerwin hopes to unify the superflyweight championship and (Srisaket Sor) Rungvisai is his next target. Top Rank has the resources to make that fight happen next year.?
Arum said Ancajas personifies the new breed of young champions taking over the sport. ?Honestly, I don?t know too much about Santiago,? he said. ?We hold some 30 shows a year and bring in 24 to 30 more shows from overseas to air on our media platforms. That?s keeping me busier than ever. So I don?t really have time to go over tape and watch every fighter in our shows. I?ve got my matchmakers who do that and they do a great job. I show up at the fights and enjoy the action. I?m sure Jerwin?s fight against Santiago will be as exciting as his fight against (Israel) Gonzalez.?
Arum wouldn?t call Ancajas the second coming of Manny Pacquiao but nodded his head when it was suggested that the IBF champion appears to be a cross between Luisito Espinosa and Gerry Penalosa. ?2019 will be a big year for Jerwin,? said Arum. ?But let?s see what he shows against Santiago before we move forward.?
Staging the fight at the Oracle Arena suits Ancajas, said Arum. ?There were no venues available in San Francisco but we found the Oracle Arena where the Golden State Warriors play,? he said. ?There?s a big Filipino community in Oakland and Jerwin has a big fan following in the Bay Area.?
Last Tuesday, Ancajas visited Balboa High School in San Francisco and spoke to over 100 students of Filipino descent taking Pilipino as a second language. An audio-visual of Ancajas? life, taken from an ESPN5 documentary, was shown in the auditorium to introduce the champion to the students. Ancajas, who finished only up to second year of high school in Panabo, said the visit reminded him of his student days and how he missed campus life. In an inspiring message, he called out student-athletes and encouraged them to work hard, dream big and be confident in trying to accomplish their goals.
Las Vegas-based international matchmaker Sean Gibbons said Ancajas is pumped up to deliver a convincing win. But Santiago, who?s a fight-alike of former world flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada, can?t be taken lightly. Estrada is as tough as nails and has lost only thrice, all on points, to Rungvisai on a majority verdict, Chocolatito Gonzalez and Juan Carlos Sanchez. Santiago is known to be a shifty, clever, in-and-out counterpuncher who likes attacking the body. Like Estrada, Santiago has lost only on points.
?Jerwin can?t afford to lose,? said Ancajas? trainer Joven Jimenez in Pilipino. ?So much is at stake. Losing isn?t an option. He has a new baby, his family is growing. We?re not finished building our gym and dorm in Cavite. Whatever it takes to win, Jerwin will do. If Santiago fights from a distance, he?ll close the gap. If Santiago engages, he?ll exchange. Jerwin will be aggressive. He will win this fight.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SPORTS SHORTS 285: AMIR KHAN ACCEPTS OFFER FOR AN EXHIBITION MATCH WITH MANNY PACQUIAO
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 25 Nov 2024FOGOUM, TOSHIHIKO, KIM, RATTAWUT, RUF, CHUTINAN IN ACTION IN HIGHLAND’S EXCITING “SHOWDOWN” NOV 28 AT SPACEPLUS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Gil Robiego Co Elected New APPBRO President for 2025-2027
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Garma wins, climbs to 8th place
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Davao futsal scores 1st win
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024