Confident Ancajas vows thriller of title defense

MANILA, Philippines - For the first time in his life, Filipino boxer Jerwin Ancajas will fight before a worldwide audience, and vowed to make the most of the rare opportunity.

“Asahan niyo (Count on it),” said Ancajas, who will defend his IBF super-flyweight crown against Teiru Kinoshita, a Korean who was born and raised in Osaka, Japan.

“Magandang (Impressive) performance ‘to,” added Ancajas during the PSA Forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel where he was joined by his lifelong trainer, Joven Jimenez.

Ancajas will make the second defense of his 115-pound crown on July 2 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s own title defense against local boy Jeff Horn.

The pride of Panabo in Davao del Norte, a 25-year-old father of two, was elated with news that his fight will be among those that will be televised live by ESPN.

“Magandang opportunity yun,” said Jimenez, who first met Anjacas as a skinny 17-year-old who dreamed of becoming a world champion.

Jimenez said an impressive performance on July 2 will open bigger windows for Ancajas, who won the IBF world title in September last year, at the expense of Puerto Rico’s McJoe Arroyo.

Ancajas is also in for his biggest payday of $60,000.