DAVAO CITY—International Boxing Federation (IBF) world lightflyweight Jerwin Ancajas led three other current top names in boxing who shared the Boxers of the Year award conferred by the Games and Amusement (GAB) on the first day (May 11) of the Philippine Boxing Convention at the Marco Polo Hotel here.
Ancajas successfully defended his title following a technical knockout win over Mexican challenger Jose Alfredo Rodriguez in January in Macau. The Panabo City native, who has a 26 wins (17KOs), 1 loss and 1 draw record, took the title via a unanimous verdict over McJoe Arrroyo in September last year.
Against Rodriguez, Ancajas was dominating the fight when the Mexican complained of shoulder injury and could not continue after the seventh round.
“I’m happy for Jerwin,” said his former handler Sammy Gelo-ani , who was at the convention which was attended by hundreds of stakeholders in the sport, including boxers, managers, promoters and ring officials from Cebu and the Luzon-based Association of Philippine Professional Boxing Ring Officials. (APPBRO).
Gelo-ani revealed that Ancajas and his new handler, Joven Jimenez, paid him a courtesy visit. “Kahit umalis na sa akin si Jerwin, nakakataba naman ng puso na pinuntahan pa rin ako to pay respect. Salamat naman and I really wish him well.”
Gelo-ani’s fighter, Johnriel Casimero, former IBF world flyweight champion, share the honors with Ancajas and two others, former World Boxing Organization WBO bantamweight champ Marlon Tapales and Women’s World International Boxing Association (WIBA) world minimumweight world champion Gretchen Abaniel, who is currently training in Australia.
Tapales lost his WBO title for failing to make the weight but nevertheless proceeded in knocking out Japanese Shohei Omori in the 10th round of their bout that was rendered a non-title. The crown is now vacant.
“We have considered these four boxers as our top boxers for the year because to us, they are all champions. The never lost their title on the ring. They continue to inspire other boxers who are waiting for their turn to shine,” said GAB chairman Baham Mitra.
“The GAB has drawn a list of awardees from nominations by all stakeholders nationwide. The list underwent intensive vetting process. Kinilatis po sila ng kanilang mga kasamahan at mga naging kakompetensiya nila,” he added.
Also receiving citations were OPBF president Juan Ramon Guanzon, Hubert Minn (Hawaii), Chairman of WBC Ring Officials; Tony Weeks (Las Vegas) international referee; Naris Singwangcha (Thailand) boxing philanthropist; Ryuta Kato, president of United Int’l. Boxing Promotions; Lope, Sarreal, president of Phil. Boxing Federation; Dante Alamario, president of Managers-Promoters Association; Ma. Laura Elorde, matriarch of Philippine Boxing, the Professional Boxing Officials of Cebu Assn. of Phil and the Association of Philippine Professional Boxing Ring Officials (APPBRO)
The top honorees were Michael Aldeguer (International Boxing Promoter of the Year), Gabriel Elorde, Jr., Juan Lope Elorde Dexter Tan and Arnold Palafox (Boxing Promoters of the Year), Brico Santig and Jim Claude Manangquil (Most Accomplished Boxing Managers of the Year), Angel Dela Merced (Most Promising Boxing Promoter), Artemio Monis (Boxing Matchmaker of the Year) and Jhun Agrabio and Fernando Ocon (Boxing Trainers of the Year)
Boxing senator Emmanuel Pacquiao, WBO World Welterweight Champion Eight Division World Boxing Champion, and IBF flyweight champion Donnie Nietes, were given Excellence Award trophies while long-time international referee Bruce Mctavish received the Lifetime Achievement award.