By Adrian Stewart Co
Filipino boxer Jerwin Ancajas will once again put his IBF World super flyweight championship on the line as he battles Argentinian Fernando Daniel Martinez on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines) at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This will be Ancajas’ 10th defense on the world championship he won at the hands of Puerto Rican veteran McJoe Arroyo on September, 2016 at the Philippine Marine Corp. in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
According to the Panabo City, Davao del Norte-native Ancajas, he is not taking Martinez lightly and will go for a stoppage victory if the opportunity is there.
“Kung may pagkakataon na maka-knockout, gagawin ko,” Ancajas said in an interview with One News’ Power and Play. “Halimbawa may makita akong butas na puwedeng patamaan o mapabagsak, kailangan natin na gawin kasi ‘yun rin ang gagawin niya.”
Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions, which handles the career of Ancajas, said that the Filipino boxer is excited to get back in the ring after his scheduled bout with Kazuto Ioka last December 31 was cancelled due to COVID-19 lockdown in Japan.
“Jerwin is excited to get back in the ring for his first bout of the year,” said Gibbons. “COVID has been tough on boxing and after only fighting once last year, Jerwin is very pumped up to make his 10th title defense.”
“After he beats Martinez, we will look to get the Ioka fight. Jerwin wants to fight the best in his division and show everyone he is the best 115-pound fighter in boxing,” he added.
Martinez, for his part, said that he is determined to score an upset win as he wants to dedicate the world boxing championship title to his late father.
“I have been fighting since I was a little kid, and reaching the top is something crazy for me. I want to give my family this moment of joy, bring the title home, demonstrate my country that I have a lot to give and that we have a lot of great fighters,” Martinez said.
The 30-year-old Ancajas will be entering the match with 33-1-2 win-loss-draw ring record, including 22 stoppage victories, while the 30-year-old Martinez carries a 13-0-0 slate, with eight wins via stoppages./ASC, WDJ