Jerwin Ancajas retreats home as PH boxing takes a hit
Published Mar 18, 2020 12:00 am
By Nick Giongco
Despite seeing his April 11 fight get postponed, Filipino world champion Jerwin Ancajas is not about to allow himself to abandon training camp.
Jerwin Ancajas (Alvin Go)
Though he will no longer subject himself to the usual training routine, Ancajas insists he will work out regularly to ensure that he remains in fighting form.
Ancajas’ ninth defense of the International Boxing Federation super-flyweight set for April 11 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas was postponed by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
Also put on hold were all the other Top Rank shows for March and April with those being eyed for May likewise under threat of not happening.
“Mamaya magpapawis kami,” said Ancajas from his home in Magallanes, Cavite, where a makeshift gym is in place.
Joven Jimenez, who manages and trains Ancajas, is also residing in the same compound.
“We are still focused on training,” said Jimenez, who just stayed with Ancajas in Dipolog City for over two months.
It is unclear when and where the fight is going to take place but Team Ancajas wants to maintain readiness just in case the situation improves.
“Over here, we have fresh air and away from the crowds and no distractions,” added Jimenez.
The world of sports has been badly hit by the global virus outbreak that almost 100 percent of events have all been postponed or scrapped.
Even the Tokyo Olympics set in July-April is in danger as well.
Boxing alone was struck hard with Las Vegas, the city that keeps the sport on its feet, forcing to shut down.
Aside from Ancajas, also taking a hit was another Filipino champion in John Riel Casimero, who was supposed to meet Japanese Naoya Inoue in a highly-anticipated bantamweight unification bout on April 25 at Mandalay Bay.
Even eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao’s desire to return to the ring in July doesn’t appear to be realistic given the situation that changes not daily but by the hour.
Jerwin Ancajas (Alvin Go)
Though he will no longer subject himself to the usual training routine, Ancajas insists he will work out regularly to ensure that he remains in fighting form.
Ancajas’ ninth defense of the International Boxing Federation super-flyweight set for April 11 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas was postponed by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
Also put on hold were all the other Top Rank shows for March and April with those being eyed for May likewise under threat of not happening.
“Mamaya magpapawis kami,” said Ancajas from his home in Magallanes, Cavite, where a makeshift gym is in place.
Joven Jimenez, who manages and trains Ancajas, is also residing in the same compound.
“We are still focused on training,” said Jimenez, who just stayed with Ancajas in Dipolog City for over two months.
It is unclear when and where the fight is going to take place but Team Ancajas wants to maintain readiness just in case the situation improves.
“Over here, we have fresh air and away from the crowds and no distractions,” added Jimenez.
The world of sports has been badly hit by the global virus outbreak that almost 100 percent of events have all been postponed or scrapped.
Even the Tokyo Olympics set in July-April is in danger as well.
Boxing alone was struck hard with Las Vegas, the city that keeps the sport on its feet, forcing to shut down.
Aside from Ancajas, also taking a hit was another Filipino champion in John Riel Casimero, who was supposed to meet Japanese Naoya Inoue in a highly-anticipated bantamweight unification bout on April 25 at Mandalay Bay.
Even eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao’s desire to return to the ring in July doesn’t appear to be realistic given the situation that changes not daily but by the hour.