OAKLAND, California – The Oracle Arena may not be the first fight venue that comes to mind when you talk about boxing, but it has a special place in the hearts and minds of basketball fans. And when it comes to Jerwin Ancajas, who named his two sons after Kyle Korver and Kyrie Irving, there are few people who love hoops more than the IBF junior bantamweight champion from Panabo City.
Ancajas (30-1-1, 20 knockouts) can see the hallowed venue from his hotel in Oakland, and in three days will defend his belt for the sixth time there when he faces Alejandro Santiago (16-2-4, 7 KOs) in a scheduled twelve-rounder which is part of a Top Rank card which will be streamed in the United States on ESPN+ on Friday, September 28, and in the Philippines on ESPN 5 (Saturday morning PH time).
“It’s very special for me to fight at the home court of the NBA champions because it is a rare opportunity,” said Ancajas, 26. “I’m very happy, not only myself but to my team because we’ll be able to get in the Oracle Arena.”
Basketball is a big part of Ancajas’ training, and it’s rare that someone isn’t dribbling a ball in the hotel fitness center while Ancajas shadowboxes to make weight and goes over the game plan on the punch mitts for what must be the thousandth time. One recent addition to the ever-expanding Survival Camp compound in Magallanes, Cavite is a half-court, so Ancajas doesn’t have to travel down the road to get in some 3-on-3 action.
Though Ancajas had rooted for LeBron James and the Cavs in last season’s NBA Finals, he has found a reason to admire the champions of three of the last four years.
“There is no conflict for me because that’s the way it goes in sports. I really admire Golden State these days because they really show great teamwork,” said Ancajas.
His favorite Warriors player? Someone who shares an appreciation for subtlety with himself.
“Klay Thompson is my favorite player because he’s just quiet but when it comes to the game, he is really focused. His moves are simple and smooth. He’s a really a great and talented player,” said Ancajas, who isn’t sold yet that James can turn the Los Angeles Lakers into an immediate threat to the Warriors’ dynasty with the addition of DeMarcus Cousins in the middle.
A Top Rank source says that calls have been sent out inviting members of the Warriors team to attend the fight, but no word is in yet whether they’ll be in the building. Ancajas team member Brendan Gibbons says the team may attend the Warriors-Timberwolves pre-season game on Saturday after the fight.
The spirit of teamwork was on display Tuesday as Ancajas worked the mitts with both assistants Delfin Boholst and Todd Makelim in the small fitness center. Genesis Servania, his Filipino compatriot who will face Carlos Carlson in a ten-round bout at a 124-pound catchweight on the undercard, was also in the gym cutting weight.
Joven Jimenez, the head coach and “Steve Kerr” of the team, insisted that, while they’d love a more crowd-pleasing performance to make up for the messy fight with Jonas Sultan last time out, they won’t necessarily adapt the run-and-gun offense of the Oracle’s home team.
“We always plan for 12 rounds, do what we always do in the ring. And if there is a chance he can knock down the opponent, he will do it,” said Jimenez, while adding that they’ve made “many adjustments” to be “more aggressive and then explosive.”
“I think he can show his offense this time because he’s not afraid of the headbutts. I think he can show what his style is before with (Israel) Gonzalez and (Jamie) Conlan.”
Ancajas believes that the end game will be a full court press against the 22-year-old from Tijuana, Mexico, a lesser-experienced but scrappy fringe contender who is fighting for the first time in a world title bout.
“Coach said we will really go in. Unlike what we were doing before, being careful. This time we will really go in and fight,” said Ancajas.
Ancajas and Santiago were respectful when they met by chance at the lobby of the Oakland Executive Airport Hotel. They exchanged pleasantries, with Santiago’s team thanking Ancajas for the opportunity before posing for photos with reporters and heading up to his room.
Call it a “pic and roll.”
