Arum sees greatness in Ancajas

Corpus Christi, Texas—For revered promoter Bob Arum, Jerwin Ancajas reaching the level of success Manny Pacquiao has attained will be too much to ask. Even then, however, the 86-year-old boxing Hall of Famer, believes Ancajas is destined for greatness like his idol and benefactor. “If he (Ancajas) will be able to achieve mini-half of what Manny has achieved, I’d be very happy,” said Arum, who has signed the International Boxing Federation champion to a six-fight contract under his Top Rank Promotions, on Friday. Ancajas caught Arum’s discerning eyes when he fought in the undercard of Pacquiao’s ill-fated defense of the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown in Brisbane, Australia, in July last year. That time, Ancajas stopped Japanese Teiru Kinoshita in the second defense of his 115-pound title. “He’s a really nice kid. Humble and kind just like Manny. And he could really fight. “His life story is somewhat epic like Manny and is dedicated as a fighter. He has the Manny pedigree.” If Ancajas wins impressively, Arum has grand plans for MP Promotions’ first world champion. Apart from more lucrative purses, Top Rank is bent on pitting him against the talent-laden division’s best like World Boxing Organization king Naoya Inoue of Japan and World Boxing Council titlist Srisaket Sor Runvisai of Thailand.