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:
Warriors Buck Pressures, Whip Lakers, 123-116
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 04 Apr 2025May 4: Rohan Polanco-Fabian Maidana Welterweight Showdown & The Return of Emiliano Fernando Vargas Added to Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas ESPN+-Streamed Undercard at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Richard Torrez Jr. and Guido Vianello Ready to Trade Leather in Las Vegas Heavyweight Headliner
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Avoided Kingsley Ibeh Demands his Seat at The Heavyweight Table
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Undefeated Super Welterweight Prospect Alex Bray Signs Promotional Agreement with Boxlab Promotions
Fri, 04 Apr 2025PRE-SALE TICKETS FOR THE 2025 US OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP AVAILABLE FROM 14 APRIL
Fri, 04 Apr 2025PSME Abu Dhabi overall champion in the PTC-WED in UAE
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Apr 2025The Hard Road of Young Nationalista
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 03 Apr 20255 Pinoy boxers to fight in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Transatlantic Clash II - "Battle at the Bridge"
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Marco “El Tiburón” Romero moving up to scheduled 6-round bout next
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Filipino chess phenom wins at Spring Blitz Chess Championship in Dubai
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Thu, 03 Apr 2025IM Bagamasbad eyes GM title in Australian Chess Circuit
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025