Former boxing world champion Rodel Mayol, right, with Asian Games gold medalist Roberto Jalnaiz. Photo by Roy Luarca/INQUIRER
Corpus Christi, Texas—Tapped for their extensive ring experience and street smarts, Rodel Mayol and Roberto Jalnaiz are providing invaluable help to Team Ancajas here.
Mayol, the World Boxing Council light flyweight champion from 2009-2011, takes care of Jerwin Ancajas’ nutritional needs.
Jalnaiz, the 1992 Beijing Asian Games bantamweight gold medalist and two-time Olympian, assists chief trainer Joven Jimenez in keeping Ancajas’ body in tiptop shape and gives suggestions relative to the title duel on Saturday night.
Mayol and Jalnaiz were regulars in the US training camps of Manny Pacquiao, who charts Ancajas’ career by way of his MP Promotions.
They were simply glad to lend a hand to Team Ancajas, which also includes unbeaten pro prospect Mark Anthony Barriga (8-0), former national boxer Delfin Boholst, Filipino-Australian cutman Todd Makelim and MP Promotions’ Joe Ramos and Sean Gibbons.
After watching Ancajas’ workouts and viewing some clips of Israel Gonzalez’s fights, Mayol and Jalnaiz were convinced that the top Filipino hope to step up when Pacquiao retires will come out victorious.
Mayol predicted that Gonzalez will be knocked out either in the sixth or seventh round.
“The Mexican is strong and will likely go inside, but Ancajas will be ready for that and eventually will control the fight,” said Mayol, trainer of power puncher Romero Duno, who earned plaudits with his first round demolition of Mexican Yardley Suarez at The Forum in Inglewood, California, last month.
For his part, Jalnaiz said Ancajas is benefiting from his remarkable amateur career as former Palarong Pambansa champion and National Youth Games gold medalist.
“His (Ancajas) footwork is good and his fighting stance refined,” said Jalnaiz, who left the fight game at 24. “His hands are fast and he doesn’t throw wild punches.
“If one solid punch or his combination gets through, then Gonzalez will be in deep trouble.”
Jalnaiz, who oversaw Ancajas’ weight reduction in this coastal city, featuring the old school sauna, ice and calamansi spit out session, said the southpaw’s punches will even be harder and snappier on fight night.