Playing mind games
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 09 Oct 2022
LOS ANGELES. There seems to be tension in IBF superflyweight champion Fernando Martinez’ camp. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said Martinez’ trainer Rodrigo Calabrese raised a fuss over the personalized Canadian Hayabusa gloves to be worn by challenger Jerwin Ancajas for the fight set at the Dignity Health Sports Park here this morning (Manila time). Calabrese earlier confronted me after I interviewed Martinez and asked if he had difficulty making weight, if he expects Ancajas to be more dangerous in the rematch and how his training camp went.
Gibbons said Calabrese had no business complaining about Ancajas’ gloves because they were previously approved by the state commission. The gloves were sealed in plastic to prevent any kind of tampering. He also had no business confronting me as I had asked permission from Martinez’ team if I could speak with him and introduced myself as a Filipino reporter. “Mind games,” said Gibbons. “Maybe, they’re nervous. The way Jerwin looked at the weigh-in was nowhere near how he looked in their first fight. I think Martinez will be in for a surprise.”
Ancajas wasn’t himself when he lost his crown to Martinez last February. Because of leg cramps, Ancajas had no footwork, no lateral movement and was an easy target. “Jerwin was like a heavy bag who stood in front of Martinez to get hit,” said Gibbons. “It took a lot of heart to do what Jerwin did. He was banged up for 12 rounds but never went down.” Martinez set a new division record for throwing 1,046 punches, landing 427. In the rematch, Gibbons said Ancajas will fight tall. “It’s all about conditioning,” he said. “Jerwin wasn’t in shape for the first fight. He’s in shape now.” Ancajas will march into the ring to the tune of ACDC’s “Thunderstruck.”
It will be either Martinez’ ratification or Ancajas’ redemption. Martinez said he’ll put on a show for the fans with a Plan A and Plan B to counter whatever Ancajas brings to the table. Ancajas said nothing will stop him from regaining the crown and welcoming his fourth child, to be born in January, as a world champion.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 02 Jan 2026Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
Fri, 02 Jan 2026Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
Thu, 01 Jan 2026Lover Boy on hot streak
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
Wed, 31 Dec 2025Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Donaire awaits WBA order
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 30 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua injured in car crash in Nigeria
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 30 Dec 2025Sampson Boxing Signs Red Hot Middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr to Exclusive Promotional Contract
Tue, 30 Dec 2025Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds
Mon, 29 Dec 2025Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Dec 2025Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Dec 2025Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary
Sun, 28 Dec 2025