With his recent success, Jerwin Ancajas has not been able to escape comparisons to boxing great Manny Pacquiao.
While the soft-spoken boxer is flattered to be mentioned in the same breath as the eight-division world champion, he knows that no one can compare to Pacquiao.
“I don’t mind the comparisons because it’s an honor to be compared to him,” said Ancajas in Filipino. “But no one in the Philippines and in the world can match to what sir Manny has accomplished,” he said.
Ancajas, who is fresh from his stunning defense of the belt last month in Texas, even went to as far as saying that “the next Manny Pacquiao has not been born yet.”
The IBF superflyweight titlist was one of the three sportsmen honored by the Philippine Sportswriters Association as the Athlete of the Year, something which Pacquiao has won four times, on Tuesday.
For the southpaw from Panabo, Davao del Norte, the award bestowed by the sportswriters is just the feather in his cap after what had been an amazing year for him.
“I can’t describe what happened to me this year. I’m so lucky,” the 26-year-old said. “I didn’t expect that I’ll be an Athlete of the Year. It has been my dream because so many Filipino athletes are hoping to be awarded by the PSA. It’s an added inspiration for me to continue what I’ve already accomplished.”
Ancajas, who is set to fight again this year, is raring help to aspiring boxers reach greater heights like he tried to do.
“I want that one day, whatever I learned in boxing, I can share to my fellow boxers. I hope to be an inspiration and be of help to anyone I can help,” he said.