FILE — Jerwin Ancajas. Photo by Mark Giongco
He said he still has a lot to show, IBF junior bantamweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas of the Philippines admitted upon arriving in Texas for a fourth title defense on Sunday.
Not that he’s ill at ease with his title, but the 26-year-old warrior from Panabo City, with a record of 28 wins, one loss, 19 knockouts, craves to meet with more noted boxers in his deep 115-pound world division.
Trumpeted as a favorite over challenger Israel Gonzalez of Mexico, Ancajas has refused to feel wholly settled.
He said: “I want to make a lasting impression, I want American fight fans seeing me with a performance that’s an improvement of my last few fights.”
Ancajas swore he wanted to fight “them someday to know how good I can be.”
By them, he clearly meant the likes of WBC super flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand, who clashes with Juan Francisco Estrada in HBO’s Superfly 2 promotion later this month.
The Ancajas title defense will be carried live on ESPN 5 (TV 5 PH) on Sunday morning.
Ancajas handlers, led by manager Joven Jimenez, have promised a very competitive bout. This would be great for Ancajas’ US debut. He has not been fully tested in his previous three title defenses.
Truth is, much as he loves to jump onto the superfly centerstage, it’s quite unlikely he could try this soon.
There’s already a waiting mandatory defense against Jonas Sultan, before another fight against an unnamed prospect lined up by his promoter.
He would love to display his gifts and full prowess, show he’s in the same notch, if not better than the bigger names in the deep 115-lb world division.
A great stand by his Mexican challenger on Sunday could help in pushing Ancajas to a much higher level, and more respectability.
However, the true greatness of Jerwin Ancajas, billed this early as possible heir to Manny Pacquiao, could not be determined within the year. That’s how his overcautious handlers have ruled it.