Anchors aweigh for Ancajas
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 10 Oct 2019
With full backing from the Philippine Navy, IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas is encountering smooth sailing at the Naval Education Training and Doctrine Command (NETDC) base in San Antonio, Zambales where he set up camp two months ago to prepare for his eighth title defense against Mexico?s Jonathan Javier Rodriguez at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson City, California, on Nov. 2.
Ancajas, a Navy reservist with the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer, will leave for Los Angeles on Oct. 18. Rodriguez, ranked No. 14, stepped up to the plate to challenge Ancajas after former WBC superflyweight champion Carlos Cuadras of Mexico, Miguel Gonzalez of Chile, Antonio Nieves of Cleveland and Alexandru Marin of Romania were either thumbed down or backed off. The Mexican looms as Ancajas? most dangerous opponent ever as he?s coming off a 10th round stoppage of two-time world title challenger Felipe Orucuta who lost consciousness, was administered CPR to revive his heartbeat and left the ring on a stretcher. Orucuta underwent surgery to remove a blood clot in the brain and was confined in the hospital for seven weeks. He will never fight again.
Ancajas hasn?t seen his wife and three kids since a furlough a month ago. The next time he?ll see his family is at the airport when he takes off for L. A. It was Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad who invited Ancajas to train in San Antonio. Initially, Ancajas? trainer Joven Jimenez thought the isolation would be too much of a sacrifice for the fighter. But the focus that stemmed from the seclusion turned out to be the best thing for Ancajas who has dealt with no distractions since his arrival in Zambales.
At the base, Jimenez brought in six sparmates to push Ancajas to the limit. The other day, Ancajas went two rounds each with five sparmates who alternated to keep themselves fresh. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons motored to San Antonio to visit Ancajas and was impressed by the sparring. Each sparmate simulated Rodriguez? style and attacked Ancajas vigorously. Ancajas held his ground in every round. The six sparmates in camp are Daniel Lim, John Mark Alimane, Angelo Beltran, George Nuez, Alexis Avillar and Miller Alapormina.
Rear Admiral Loumer Bernabe, newly-installed NETDC commander, called Ancajas ?a national treasure? and said the Command base will always be open to the champion ?who fights for our country in the ring just as the soldiers, sailors and Marines fight for our country.? It?s the first time that a professional boxer has trained at the base. In 2003, the Philippine taekwondo team was quartered in the station for military-type training and bonding. The 1,000-hectare base has dorm and sports facilities, including a golf driving range, a basketball court and a boxing gym. Jimenez, a Navyman himself, said he took up schooling at the base in 2000 and 2007.
Bernabe is joined by Lt. Commodore (Major) George Baltazar at NETDC. Baltazar played on the 1991 Mapua team that won the NCAA men?s basketball championship under coach Joel Banal. A teammate was Benny Cheng who later saw action in the PBA.
Ancajas said he?s not underestimating Rodriguez even as he admitted setting his sights on a unification duel with WBC beltholder Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico. ?I?ll never forget what McJoe Arroyo told me after I took his IBF title (in 2016),? said Ancajas in Pilipino. ?Don?t lose it in your first defense. I listened to his advice. I never take any challenger lightly and now, I?m making my eighth defense. I?m always looking to improve because I know there are many fighters below me waiting for the chance to take me down.?
Gibbons said Ancajas is the longest-reigning IBF champion ever in any category and it?s a feat to be proud of. ?Our goal is for Jerwin to fight the best out there, not make 11 title defenses against run-of-the-mill challengers,? said Gibbons. ?The talk is Estrada will take on WBA champion Kal Yafai on Dec. 14. I expect Jerwin and Estrada to win so we?re thinking sometime in the first quarter of next year, they?ll do it. Top Rank promotes Jerwin and Bob (Arum) won?t mind coordinating with Estrada?s promoter Fernando Beltran, who?s a close friend, and Dazn if it means putting up a fight that fans want.?
Photo: IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas with (from right) MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons, Rear Admiral Loumer Bernabe and National Defense Secretary consultant Mike Salvador in San Antonio, Zambales.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
By Ralph Rimpell, Thu, 10 Jul 2025Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 10 Jul 2025USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
Thu, 10 Jul 2025Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 10 Jul 2025Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
Thu, 10 Jul 2025Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
Thu, 10 Jul 2025Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
Thu, 10 Jul 20254 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 10 Jul 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
Thu, 10 Jul 2025FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 09 Jul 2025Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 09 Jul 2025