It looks as though the corner of Jerwin Ancajas has Israel Gonzalez, the Filipino champ’s opponent for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight title, all figured out.
Between the two, Ancajas appeared bigger and stronger. The pride of Panabo City in Davao had struggled a bit to meet the 115-pound limit because he is a growing fighter and he might be stepping up in weight soon to fight comfortably and competitively.
For now, though, Ancajas’ concern is Gonzales, the challenger who’s trying to look tough during their faceoff in a media conference two days before their scheduled 12-round title bout on Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila) at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Rodel Mayol, a former world champion from Cebu who now lives in Los Angeles, is helping Ancajas’ trainer-manager Joven Jimenez in setting up the strategy for the Filipino champion defending his crown for the third time.
Also making up the Team Ancajas are former elite fighters Delfin Boholst, Asian Games gold medalist and two-time Olympian Bobby Jalnaiz, Todd Makelim and stablemate Mark Anthony Barriga.
Mayor reportedly found the chink in the Mexican’s armor, whose 21 win (8 KOs) -1 loss record shows that he’s not as deadly and strong as he portrayed himself to be.
He may have the footwork but he rarely backtracks and sometimes throws the right with his left down—just a perfect opponent for Ancajas, who possesses a killer right hook, being a converted southpaw. But it's the still the left hook that serves as the prize catch for Ancajas.
Meanwhile, Ancajas is coming off two knockout finishes against challengers with an equally splendid caliber like Gonzales. The Filipino’s 28-1-1 record with 19 knockouts should sway the Mexican from thinking of going toe-to-toe.
The last time Gonzales fought a bigger foe – in a six-round bout against unknown Argie Cortez two years ago—he lost by unanimous decision.
Against a high-caliber fighter like Ancajas, Manila Standard Sports believes that Gonzales may not go the distance.
“Handang-handa na po ako, “ swore Ancajas, who is out to impress Top Rank in his first defense on U.S. soil.
The 26-year-old Ancajas has completed 90 rounds of sparring under Jimenez back in the Philippines and completed the preparation at Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles before heading to Texas.
Meanwhile, Ancajas’s loss came when he was still a raw fighter. That was in 2012 in Cebu against fellow Filipino Mark Anthony for the World Boxing Organization Asia Pacific Super flyweight title.