Ancajas gains foreign fans after explosive US showing

After an impressive initial foray in the United States, Jerwin Ancajas gained local following and international acclaim.

Proof is a steady stream of media outfits and fans, including foreigners, trooping to his secluded Survival Camp in Barangay Ramirez, Magallanes, Cavite province.

Last Friday, the visitors included Japanese and Britons. They spent big amounts for taxi fares just to be with the International Boxing Federation junior bantamweight champion who knocked out Mexican Israel Gonzalez in the 10th round in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Feb. 3.

According to Joven Jimenez, Ancajas’ trainer and manager, the foreigners brought along boxing gloves, shirts and other mementos for Ancajas to sign. They also posed for pictures with the southpaw being hailed as the next Filipino ring superstar after Manny Pacquiao.

As a result of Ancajas’ fourth straight KO victory, Jimenez’s stock as trainer also rose, with Chinese and Australian boxers wanting to hone their skills at the makeshift gym.

Jimenez said they are still waiting for matchmaker Sean Gibbons to finalize details of Ancajas’ next title fight against mandatory challenger Jonas Sultan. On Monday, Ancajas will start light training. —ROY LUARCA