Ancajas flies to Ireland for crown defense

FILE — Jerwin Ancajas. Photo by Mark Giongco

Jerwin Ancajas continues his quest for international acclaim when he defends the International Boxing Federation crown against unbeaten Jamie Conlan in Belfast, Ireland, on Nov. 18.

Though Conlan was impressed with Ancajas’ seven-round demolition of Japanese challenger Teiru Kinoshita in the chief support of Manny Pacquiao-Jeff Horn tussle in Brisbane on July 2, the brawler is convinced he’d be able to beat the pride of Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

The 30-year-old Conlan, who holds a 19-0 record with 11 KOs, was at ringside watching Ancajas during that bout.

Ancajas (27-1-1, 18 knockouts), who also won by stoppage over Mexican Jose Alfredo Rodriguez in his first title defense last Jan. 29 in Macau, is also deep in training under the guidance of his manager and trainer Joven Jimenez. —ROY LUARCA