WORLD boxing champion Jerwin Ancajas has added an MVP in his corner.
Ancajas, the reigning International Boxing Federation super-flyweight champion, met with telecom tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan on Wednesday and received a P1-million check from the sports patron.
“I myself feel like an MVP,” said Ancajas after the handover of the check in the presence of newly-elected Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas, TV5 Sports head Chot Reyes, manager-trainer Joven Jimene and London Olympian Mark Barriga.
The cash reward was promised by Pangilinan when he met Ancajas during the PSA Awards Night recently.
Ancajas said the money will finance the construction and repair of the facilities of Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite, the bare-bones training facility where he trains with other boxers seeking fame and fortune.
“This is a big help not only for myself but for my fellow fighters who train at Survival Camp,” added Ancajas, who is getting ready to defend the IBF 115-lb crown for the fifth time against mandatory challenger Jonas Sultan on April 14 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Jimenez was likewise tickled pink by the show of support of Pangilinan.
“That was truly an MVP move,” said Jimenez, who calls the shots over at training camp.
As this developed, Sean Gibbons, the American agent of Ancajas, blew into town Wednesday night to finalize the details of the IBF champion’s trip to the US.
“Team Ancajas will fly over to Los Angeles for an open media workout ten days before the fight and then travel to Las Vegas,” said Gibbons.
Ancajas, who has a multi-fight deal with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. for 2018, made his US debut last February in Corpus Christi, Texas.
If Ancajas gets past Sultan, Arum is lining up two more fights, in August and in November