Ancajas sets sights on US debut

MANILA, Philippines - It won’t be long before IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas makes his US ring debut but even as he has set his sights on the breakthrough, the immediate priority is to repulse Japanese-Korean challenger Teiru Kinoshita in the undercard of the “Battle of Brisbane” at the Suncorp Stadium this Sunday.

Ancajas, 25, will make the second defense of the crown he wrested from Puerto Rico’s McJoe Arroyo in Taguig last September. The fight in Australia will be Ancajas’ fifth foreign assignment after three outings in Macau and one in Tianjin, China. He’s looking forward to cashing in on the lucrative US market with a decisive win over Kinoshita.

Ancajas said he expects to be at ringside in California on Sept. 9 when Nicaraguan Roman (Chocolatito) Gonzalez attempts to regain the WBC superflyweight title from Thai Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in a card that will also feature unbeaten WBO superflyweight champion Naoya Inoue’s sixth defense against Cleveland’s Antonio Nieves and a Mexican duel between former WBC superflyweight titlist Carlos Cuadras and former WBO/WBA flyweight ruler Juan Francisco Estrada.

International matchmaker Sean Gibbons has promised Ancajas a ringside seat so as soon as the fights end, he can challenge face-to-face whomever is his choice for a unification. Ancajas said he hopes to take on Gonzalez who’s his idol.

Ancajas’ chief handler Joven Jimenez said it’s their dream to make a name for the Panabo, Davao del Norte, fighter in the US. “After his first defense (against Jose Alfredo Rodriguez) in Macau last January, Jerwin took only a two-week rest then was back in the gym,” said Jimenez in Pilipino. “He doesn’t like long vacations. We know how important the fight against Kinoshita is. It will be shown on ESPN in the US so Jerwin will be out to impress.”

Jimenez said he reached out to Jino Merlin, the only Filipino whom Kinoshita has fought, for a first-hand report on the challenger. Kinoshita stopped Merlin in the fourth round in Kobe in 2010. “I’ve worked with Jino before so I contacted him in Iloilo,” said Jimenez. “Jino had little training for Kinoshita so he wasn’t prepared. He told me Kinoshita is a counterpuncher, left-handed with a strong left straight. He has good balance, footwork and likes to hit and run. Jerwin has to be aggressive to stop him from moving around.” Ancajas said he has a secret weapon for Kinoshita. “It will be a surprise,” he said in Pilipino. “We’re both southpaws. I sparred over 110 rounds. I’ve studied his style. I’m ready for him.”

In Brisbane, former Australian flyweight and bantamweight champion Todd Makelim will be cheering for Ancajas. Makelim, whose grandfather was Filipino, has supported Ancajas for over seven years and was in his corner when the IBF champion stopped Rodriguez early this year.

“Manny (Pacquiao) is one of a kind in the world but I believe that Jerwin definitely has the ability to create his own well-renowned career path in more than one weight division,” said Makelim. “I would like to see Jerwin fight Chocolatito if he regains the WBC crown from Sor Rongvisai or WBA superflyweight champion Khalid Yafai to unify the title. Ideally, out of everyone, I prefer Chocolatito.”

 Makelim said he’s confident Ancajas will turn back Kinoshita. “Last February and April, I visited the Philippines and spent time with Jerwin,” he said. “I watched his training and sparring. I’m impressed with his ability. I’ve watched Kinoshita fight before. He doesn’t appear to be tough. He can be quite wild which will benefit Jerwin. If Jerwin sticks to Joven’s gameplan, there won’t be a worry.”

Ancajas and his traveling team of five arrived in Brisbane last weekend. Referee for the fight will be Ignatius Missailidis of Melbourne. The judges are Ray Wheatley of Sydney, Samuel Conde Lopez of Puerto Rico and Levi Martinez of New Mexico.