Jerwin Ancajas Aims for World Championship
The time has come for Jerwin Ancajas to claim another world crown. A pumped up Ancajas goes after Takuma Inoue’s World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight crown on Saturday night, February 24, at the Kokugigan Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
Underdog Status for Ancajas
Despite his longer experience and stronger power, Ancajas has been tagged as the underdog against Inoue, the younger brother of pound-for-pound No. 1 Naoya Inoue. Oddsmakers put Ancajas at +225 against -275 for Inoue, who’ll be staking the 118-pound title for the first time.
Ancajas’ Determination
“I want to bring home the crown. I want to be world champion again,” said Ancajas, who reigned for six years in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight division before moving up in weight.
Weigh-In Details
Both Ancajas and Inoue tipped the scales at 117.75 pounds during the official weigh-in at the Tokyo Dome Hotel. Ancajas had to strip bare for the weigh-in.
Preparation and Motivation
Ancajas, with a record of 34 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws with 23 knockouts, has been preparing hard for this fight at the Survival Camp in Magallanes. An added motivation for Ancajas is his growing family, with his wife Ruth pregnant with their fifth child.
Optimism and Expectations
MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons is optimistic that Ancajas will become the new world champion. The three-knockdown rule has been waived for the fight. Ancajas is ready to face Inoue, who is prepared to spring some surprises in the ring.
Undercard Match
Former world title challenger Jonas Sultan will face Japanese prospect Riku Masuda in the undercard. Sultan needs an impressive win to get back in line for a world title eliminator.
Junnie Navarro, Sultan’s manager, flew in from the Philippines to lend support to his fellow Zamboangueno.
