ONE-TIME world title challenger Jimrex Jaca is on the comeback trail.

The 26-yearold Jaca was once one of the hottest boxing prospects of the Philippines and also fought Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBO interim featherweight title, losing by ninth-round KO on Nov. 25, 2006.

Since that loss, Jaca’s career went on a downward spiral and he won only once in seven fights before hanging up his gloves after a second-round loss to Saddam Keithyongyuth on Oct. 22, 2008.

"The Manny Pacquiao Blog". Click here for stories and updates on the Filipino boxing champ.

It was his third straight loss and his once stellar record dipped to 28-6-3, with his last two draws and three losses coming from his last five fights.

Now, he wants to return to the ring and he’s seeking the help of the ALA promotions.

“He came to us asking for help and we’re open to that. We always welcome any fighter who comes to the gym,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu last Thursday in an interview.

The 26-year-old Jaca has been training at the ALA Gym for a month preparing for his comeback fight, which was arranged by ALA Promotions.

He is scheduled to fight in the undercard of International Boxing Federation light flyweight champion Brian Viloria’s title defense on Jan. 23 in the Philippines.

Jaca is extremely dedicated to revive his once promising career as he has been training his heart out to get in shape for his comeback fight next year.

“So far I have never seen him so dedicated. He has shown a total turnaround,” said Aldeguer.

Aldeguer said that Jaca needs a lot of hard work as he is far from his ideal weight range of 130 to 135 pounds.

Talented

Because of the long hiatus from boxing Jaca bloated to well over 160 pounds.

“He’s still there. He is really talented. Although he is not yet there physically but he really has the inborn skills,” he said.

Aldeguer believes that Jaca is still a promising fighter and he could be in the ranks of the other elite fighters of the world if he puts his mind and body in his training.

“He always has the IQ and the understanding of the game. He is really talented but right now he has to put his mind together.

If he puts his mind to it (training) then there’s no question that he’ll do fine. The only thing that’s hindering him is his layoff. But so far he is very dedicated. He is still young and at his peak. Hopefully, he gets back,” said Aldeguer.

Jaca won his first 22 fights and was the OPBF super bantamweight champion in 2004.

One of his early wins was against Michael Domingo, another boxer who revived his career when transferred to the ALA stable.

After losing his belt to Yasou Kunimi on May 30, 2004, he went 5-1-1 in his next seven fights and got his biggest break when he got to challenge Marquez.