International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight champion JerwinAncajas is employing a low-key training pace as boxing without a live audience returns to Las Vegas on June 9.
“Mganasa 75 percent na, pasangawamuna (I’m at 75 percent, barely passing),” Ancajas, 28, told The Manila Times lightheartedly on Thursday night.
“Excited napoako, ganunpotalagapag fighter ka, mananabikkasalabanperokontrollangtayo (I am excited. It’s normal for a fighter to get excited about a fight but I have to tone down my training).”
Ancajas explained he doesn’t want to peak while still inthe Philippines.
He is hoping to fly to the United States this June when international flights resume and fight by July.
Ancajas (32-1-2 win-loss-draw record with 22 knockouts) has been training at the Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite under his trainer and manager Joven Jimenez since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March.
“Paranghindinagaanomabigat ‘yungpamataykongsuntok so gusto koitongmaibalik at bumilis pa (I don’t punch as hard as I used to. I want to regain my killer power punch and make it faster too.”
Currently, Ancajas’ training consists of light sparring sessions with Daniel Lim and John Mark Alimane for three to four rounds everyday plus mitts and heavy bag work. Push ups remain his staple conditioning exercise.
“Noongwala pa kamingkagamit-gamitni coach (Jimenez) ‘yung push-up angginagawako. Doonakokumukuha ng power o pampalakas ng suntok. Mahalagapo ‘yansaisangboksingero at pinapalakas ‘din nito ‘yungbalikat (When coach and I don’t have much equepment, I just do push ups. It improves punching power and strengthen the shoulders).”
The Panabo, Davao del Norte native said he sees no problem fighting without audience.
Ancajas would most likely face Mexican Jonathan Rodriguez. Ancajas’ fight with Rodriguez was postponed twice — in November 2019 and in April this year.
Top Rank boss Bob Arum said big things await Ancajas in the US.
“We have to make sure, you know what I mean, that we can get people into the United States. Jerwin (Ancajas) is completely in our program and when Sean Gibbons get him over here, we can schedule him so we can do many shows, got plenty of openings,” said Arum.
