Fresno, Calif.?Jerwin Ancajas likes it hot.
More comfortable training in higher temperature, Ancajas turned off the air-conditioning at the fitness center of Courtyard Marriot here Monday night.
Rightfully, he got the desired result. Sweating even more profusely than he usually does at chilly, fancy gyms.
?Jerwin and Mark (Barriga) really like to train when it?s hot. They perspire more, particularly Jerwin, and move better,? said former national boxer Delfin Boholst, who visited the two best fighters of Joven Sports frequently at Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite.
Beijing Asian Games gold medalist Roberto Jalnaiz, who joined Ancajas? training staff in Los Angeles last week, agreed.
?When he takes off his training suit, it?s dripping wet, including the socks,? said the US-based Jalnaiz, who sees to it that Ancajas doesn?t get dehydrated by giving him cups of lukewarm water after every training aspect.
Most likely, they?ve gotten use to the natural ventilation and sun-lit glare of their modest outdoor boxing ring in Cavite, with a base of hollow blocks, built inside a 1,500-square meter property bought by Ancajas and trainer Joven Jimenez off his earnings from his third title defense against Jamie Conlan last year.
Though he?s just 6 pounds off the weight limit of 115 pounds, Ancajas wants to make sure that he?ll be in shape for his fifth title defense of the International Boxing Federation super flyweight crown against countryman Jonas Sultan on May 26 at Save Mart Center in this city 355 kilometers away from Los Angeles.
Having two training sessions at Homewood Suites Hilton in Redondo Beach last Sunday, Ancajas could have taken the whole Monday off as his team, riding on three SUVs, arrived here from Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, late afternoon.
But after taking a nap, Ancajas felt refreshed and obliged Jimenez?s request for a brief evening training.
According to Jimenez, they usually do that in the final week of preparations for a fight to maintain Ancajas? form, reflexes and overall body condition.
There will be more light trainings until Jimenez finds Ancajas ready to turn on the heat.
