Boxer Jerwin Ancajas. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Like appearing out of thin air, Jerwin Ancajas has become undoubtedly one of the biggest Filipino sporting heroes of his generation.
The 26-year-old Ancajas went from obscure title-holder to a legitimate boxing star in less than two years and his ethereal rise prompted Bob Arum to include IBF World super flyweight champion in his stable of greats.
And for Ancajas, joining Arum’s promotion is one way of making him work harder than ever before.
READ: Arum excited for Ancajas’ Top Rank debut
“It’s rare for a Filipino boxer to join Top Rank and the boxers in that promotion are on a different level,” said Ancajas in Filipino during the PSA Awards Night Tuesday at Manila Hotel.
“I’m just so lucky that Sir Bob chose me as one of his fighters, and with this I know I’ll be working even harder.”
Ancajas joins a pantheon of greats in the Top Rank stable that includes former Olympian Mikaela Mayer, Terrence Crawford—who once held all four super lightweight belts—, WBO World super featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko, and the iconic Manny Pacquiao.
Ancajas first owned the IBF strap in September of 2016 when he beat McJoe Arroyo at Philippine Navy Gymnasium in Taguig and earned $3,700 for his efforts.
His little-money fights are now history as Ancajas has now got to the six-digit dollar mark after he defended his title against Israel Gonzalez on Feb. 2, 2018.
“The first thing that Sir Bob told me was I really put on a great fight and he also told me that I have a bright future ahead of me,” said Ancajas.