INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas preferred a meek response over World Boxing Organization (WBO) world titleholder John Riel Casimero’s taunt to Top Rank head Bob Arum after dragging his name in his social-media post.
“First of all, we are just following orders from Sir Sean [Gibbons] and Top Rank because I am just a simple boxer. But I am just happy with what you achieved in your boxing career and I respect your little way on how to become a popular boxer,” said Ancajas in a video message relayed by his trainer and coach Joven Jimenez to BusinessMirror.
Casimero, in his official Facebook account on Monday, told to Arum that he could opt out to fight Ancajas, who is a little lighter than Casimero (118 lbs) at 115 lbs. He also belittled Ancajas’s eight title defense since 2016 saying “his opponents are not competitive enough.”
But Ancajas didn’t lose his cool.
Jonas Sultan, who beat Casimero in 2017 via unanimous decision in Cebu, expressed interest to challenge Casimero anew. Sultan, who is also in the video message and presently working as Ancajas’s sparring partner in Los Angeles, sent Casimero good luck messages.
Tokyo Olympics-bound Eumir Felix Marcial also appeared in the video telling everyone to just understand Casimero, who is very frustrated after the cancellation of his unification bout with IBF and World Boxing Association bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue last April 25.
“Imagine you were away from your family and not being awarded the fight you’re longing for after eight months. It really makes you crazy,” said Marcial, adding “let’s just support and help each other as all of us came from different provinces—and poverty.”
Casimero, Ancajas and Marcial are under contract with Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions headed by President Sean Gibbons.
