Ancajas: I’ll do better in the unification bout

CAGAYAN DE ORO. Jerwin Ancajas gamely gestures in a fighting stance with Rep. Maxie Rodriguez as the latter’s brother Rufus gleefully cheers from the other side on Saturday’s (Dec. 8) lunch forum with the Cagayan de Oro press. (Lynde Salgados)
CAGAYAN DE ORO. Jerwin Ancajas gamely gestures in a fighting stance with Rep. Maxie Rodriguez as the latter’s brother Rufus gleefully cheers from the other side on Saturday’s (Dec. 8) lunch forum with the Cagayan de Oro press. (Lynde Salgados)

“BOTH of us needs this fight to materialize. And it could be a make-or-break for our respective boxing career.”

Saying this, Jr. bantamweight world titleholder Jerwin Ancajas told the Cagayan de Oro press in a simple lunch forum here on Saturday, Dec. 8 that his target unification bout with Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand may take place early next year in Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old Ancajas will be co-promoted by Manny Pacquiao in his dream fight with the 31-year-old Sor Rungvisai, who is also left-handed with a credible 46-4-1 record, including 40 wins by knockouts.

Ancajas got invited to share his inspiring story in a recent religious affair in Cagayan de Oro. And Congressman Maxie Rodriguez and his brother, Rufus of the Abamin Party took the chance to accompany Ancajas in a brief but meaty encounter with the local press.

For more than two years, Ancajas made six successful defenses of his belt. While Sor Rungvisai retained his version of the 115-pound world title for the third time after a lop-sided victory over Mexico's Iran Diaz, winning by scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 119-109.

Ancajas (30-1-2, 20 KOs) defended his title in China, Australia, Northern Ireland and three times in the United States.

Barring unforeseen glitches, Ancajas said he will invest a serious effort on training since Sor Rungvisai is quite a dangerous foe.

“I saw him in his latest fight in Thailand and he’s no pushover. For sure, I will not take him lightly `coz this bout with him probably in February next year is very important to me. Importante sab kini sa iya mao nga gusto gyod namo nga mahitabo. This is going to be a great fight,” the soft-spoken Ancajas said in the vernacular.

It can be recalled that Sor Rungvisai had mercilessly stopped Gonzalez in the fourth round of an immediate rematch in September 2017 in Carson, California. He scored a third impressive win in a row in the United States when he kept his belt via majority decision win over Juan Francisco Estrada in February before opting to return home for his past two bouts.

“Lig-on adunay kusog si Sor pero dako atong chance nga magmadaugon. Gitugyan nako ang tanan sa taas nga iya kong i-guide sa akong mga away kay sayod kita delikado ang sport nga boxing,” Ancajas further said.

Asked to assess Pacquiao’s own upcoming duel with Adrien Broner in January, Ancajas said his ultimate ring idol Pacman will be a different fighter this time around for the Filipino fans to watch.

While Broner is both a brawler and cautious in the style of the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr., Ancajas said Manny is more focused and determined to deliver an impressive performance.

“Very challenging kay Manny iyang fight with Broner nga aggressive pero naay pagka Floyd ang style. Pero lahi ang buhi sa kumo ni Manny karon mora’g gusto niya mabalik ang dati mao nga interesting pud kaayo ilang upcoming fight,” said Ancajas, who relented being called as the next Manny Pacquiao, insisting there could be only one Pacman in the boxing world.

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