Jerwin Ancajas is a world champion in a hurry. He’s in a rush to do away with the eighth defense of his International Boxing Federation super flyweight crown.
He did look pudgy upon touchdown in California earlier this week, but his handlers claimed Ancajas, 27, to be very fit.
Ancajas reported to his assigned California camp straight from an intensive three-month training in a Navy facility in San Antonio, Zambales.
He was ten pounds over the 115-lb limit, but checked in with a tested Filipino nutritionist.
Ancajas, who took the IBF crown from McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico in February 2016, defends his title against Jonathan Rodriguez of Mexico, tipped to be a tough come-forward warrior.
Ancajas has a 31-1 record with 21 knockouts.
Rodriguez, with only one loss, won 15 of his last 21 bouts via knockout.
Ancajas fights five days ahead of the much-awaited outing of Nonito Donaire against Japan’s Naoya Inoue, sensational unbeaten world super bantamweight champion.
It was reported earlier that the California-based Donaire was schedule to do the final phase of training in Manila.
There so far has been no word on his whereabouts.
The Philboxing.com central desk noted that Donaire, 36, will clash with Naoya Inoue, 18-0-0, with 16 KO in Saitama, Japan, on Nov. 7.
Ancajas is a big favorite in his next title defense.
Donaire is listed as the underdog against Inoue.
Donaire and Inoue will clash in the high-profile World Boxing Super Series (WPSS) championship The Ring Magazine belt will also be at stake.
Going by the worth and reputation of Inoue, Donaire can’t afford to be less than super.
Donaire had been shallow and predictable in two previous big assignments—against Nicolas Walters and Guillermo Rigondeaux—to suffer crushing defeats.
Donaire, fighter of the year in 2012, may finally show up fully prepared to slug it out against the ferocious body puncher Inoue.
With Inoue’s fabled worth, many experts believe Donaire will have to be extra tough and strong, to the point of wrapping a magical shield around the rib cage and liver area.
Or he could show up as the original Filipino Flash to stun and stop his awesome Japanese foe, a body-crushing specialist popularly known as the Monster.
Ancajas, on the other hand, will face an opponent whose last victim landed in the hospital after suffering a tenth-round stoppage.
Ancajas won by easy stoppage in his last title defense.