Ancajas leaves for Texas fight vs Gonzales

FILE — Jerwin Ancajas. Photo by Mark Giongco

Jerwin Ancajas will still train Thursday before taking the night flight bound for Los Angeles.

“Time is of the essence,” Joven Jimenez, Ancajas’ trainer told the Inquirer Wednesday. “Jerwin is ready to rumble.”

Ancajas will dangle his International Boxing Federation junior bantamweight crown for the fourth time against Mexican Israel Gonzales on Feb. 3 at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Jimenez said they will have light training, but no more sparring, in LA before leaving for Texas on Jan. 28.

“Jerwin has sparred over 90 rounds and that’s enough,” added Jimenez, who supervised Ancajas’ training camp at their Survival Gym in Magallanes, Cavite.

Even Ancajas’ weight is well under control, according to Jimenez, who bared that the 26-year-old pride of Panabo City checked in at 121 pounds after Wednesday’s training session.

“Hopefully, he’ll hit 118 before our departure,” added Jimenez. “We’ll only do light training in the United States, just to let the sweat out.”

Though Ancajas (28-1-1 with 19 knockouts) is tagged the favorite against Gonzalez (21-1, 8 KOs), Jimenez said they’re not lowering their guards and have covered all bases to ensure victory.

Finally able to secure tapes of Gonzalez’s fights, Jimenez said they know what to do on fight night.

Ancajas hopes to impress in his American debut, also his first fight under Bob Arum’s Top Rank.