FOLLOWING “pedestrian” performances and outputs in his last two fights, International Boxing Federation super flyweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas should take the opportunity to reassert his star when he returns to the ring this weekend for his seventh title defense.
This is according to one local fight analyst who believes the Davao de Norte native Ancajas has lost some of the luster he had previously as a boxer after a couple of not-so-impressive outings of late and is in need of a fillip by way of an impressive and convincing victory.
Mr. Ancajas (30-1-2) is to face veteran and number one contender Ryuichi Funai of Japan at Stockton Arena in California for the former’s super flyweight title on May 5 (Manila time).
The Filipino champion is coming off a split draw result against Mexican Alejandro Santiago in September last year and a unanimous decision victory over compatriot Julius Sultan in May 2018, in a fight many thought Mr. Ancajas was underwhelming.
“After two-straight humdrum performances on American soil, it is a chance for Jerwin Ancajas to prove that his star is still on the rise and he can pull up the noose on his championship run. His luster as a boxer has come off in his last two bouts, including a forgettable decision win over Jonas Sultan and then a split draw against Alejandro Barrios. Against a 38-fight veteran like Ryuichi Funai, this is the right time for Ancajas to make an impression,” said fight analyst Nissi Icasiano when asked by BusinessWorld for his thoughts on the about-to-happen ring return of Mr. Ancajas.
Mr. Icasiano further said that the Ancajas of old — a fighter who is sure of his game plan and not second-guessing himself — should show up versus a dangerous opponent like Mr. Funai (37-1).
“In his last fight, it was a far cry from the typical Jerwin Ancajas that we usually see in the ring. He was hesitating in stringing together his punches, and his signature movement was off that night. In addition, he had difficulties in pacifying Barrios, who managed to bully him over the course of 12 rounds,” the analyst said.
“If he wants to win in this fight, he has to look for the same rhythm that brought him success in his past fights, especially against a pressure fighter like Funai. A pugilist like Funai is tailor-made for a boxer like Jerwin Ancajas, but if he doesn’t impose his will and play with his strengths like in the fight against Barrios, it’s going to be another long and hard night for the Filipino,” Mr. Icasiano added.
In the lead-up to the fight, Mr. Ancajas and his team promised to be more prepared and made adjustments in the fighter’s training setup, including moving much of their training time to a Marine base in Ternate from its Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite, to allow Mr. Ancajas to focus more; engaging the services of a nutritionist to monitor his food intake; and employing a number of sparring partners to give him different looks and styles to take note from.
The Ancajas-Funai battle is part of the fight card staged by Top Rank and headlined by the IBF light heavyweight title clash between champion Artur Beter of Russia against challenger Radivoje Kalajdzic of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Mr. Ancajas has been a champion since September 2016 when he defeated McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico.
The Ancajas-Funai will be broadcast over ABS-CBN S+A beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
