Philippines, 09 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Playing mind games


PhilBoxing.com





LOS ANGELES. There seems to be tension in IBF superflyweight champion Fernando Martinez’ camp. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said Martinez’ trainer Rodrigo Calabrese raised a fuss over the personalized Canadian Hayabusa gloves to be worn by challenger Jerwin Ancajas for the fight set at the Dignity Health Sports Park here this morning (Manila time). Calabrese earlier confronted me after I interviewed Martinez and asked if he had difficulty making weight, if he expects Ancajas to be more dangerous in the rematch and how his training camp went.

Gibbons said Calabrese had no business complaining about Ancajas’ gloves because they were previously approved by the state commission. The gloves were sealed in plastic to prevent any kind of tampering. He also had no business confronting me as I had asked permission from Martinez’ team if I could speak with him and introduced myself as a Filipino reporter. “Mind games,” said Gibbons. “Maybe, they’re nervous. The way Jerwin looked at the weigh-in was nowhere near how he looked in their first fight. I think Martinez will be in for a surprise.”

Ancajas wasn’t himself when he lost his crown to Martinez last February. Because of leg cramps, Ancajas had no footwork, no lateral movement and was an easy target. “Jerwin was like a heavy bag who stood in front of Martinez to get hit,” said Gibbons. “It took a lot of heart to do what Jerwin did. He was banged up for 12 rounds but never went down.” Martinez set a new division record for throwing 1,046 punches, landing 427. In the rematch, Gibbons said Ancajas will fight tall. “It’s all about conditioning,” he said. “Jerwin wasn’t in shape for the first fight. He’s in shape now.” Ancajas will march into the ring to the tune of ACDC’s “Thunderstruck.”

It will be either Martinez’ ratification or Ancajas’ redemption. Martinez said he’ll put on a show for the fans with a Plan A and Plan B to counter whatever Ancajas brings to the table. Ancajas said nothing will stop him from regaining the crown and welcoming his fourth child, to be born in January, as a world champion.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • OKC Routs Denver; 149-106, Ties Series; Semis Series in East Remain Topsy-turvy as Boston Goes Down 0-2 With 91-90 Loss to NY
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
    , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Monster Dynamite: Inoue Crushes Cardenas in Eight
    , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • "THE MONSTER" SURVIVES EARLY SCARE, DESTROYS CARDENAS IN THRILLING WAR TO RETAIN UNDISPUTED CROWN
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • Dana White to Promote Canelo vs. Crawford: UFC Boss Set to Elevate Superfight to Historic Levels
    By T. Chin-Te, , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • Bata Reyes impressed with upcoming young players during exhibition in Libis
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 May 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.