Jerwin undecided on next move

MANILA, Philippines — Former IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas and manager/trainer Joven Jimenez aren’t talking about boxing for the moment. They returned home from Los Angeles last Monday, still undecided on whether Ancajas will exercise his option for a rematch against Argentina’s newly-crowned titlist Fernando Martinez or move up to bantamweight or superbantamweight. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons is expected here next week and will discuss future plans with Jimenez and Ancajas.

Jimenez said in his view, it’s time for Ancajas to leave the 115-pound division. “Hirap na siya sa 115,” he said. “Baka disgrasya ang abutin kung pilitin. Ayoko na siyang hawakan kung ‘di siya aakyat sa 118 o 122. Pero ‘di pa namin ni Jerwin pinaguusapan. Sa sparring, pinahirapan ni Jerwin sina (Mark) Magsayo at Jeo (Santisima) na parehong 126. Pinatigil ni coach Freddie (Roach) yung sparring niya kay Magsayo at halos maupo si Jeo sa kaniya. Magandang kilos ni Jerwin sa 118 o kaya 122, nandoon ang lakas, ilag, takbo.”

Jimenez said Ancajas was on track to make the 115-pound limit easily for Martinez until he experimented on immersing in a water-filled bath tub with salt and alcohol five days before the bout. After eight minutes, Ancajas jumped out of the tub as his body reacted badly from the soaking. He was drained and weakened. At the time, Ancajas scaled 121. When Jimenez found out about the experiment and saw Ancajas flat in bed, he quickly ordered food to fast-track recovery. Ancajas’ weight jumped to 125 and it became a struggle to make 115 at the weigh-in.

“Sa warm-up bago ang laban, ‘di pinawisan si Jerwin at pigang-piga na,” said Jimenez. “‘Di na naka-recover ang kaniyang katawan. Wala siyang lakas. Balak namin laruin sa labas si Martinez pero noong round five, nag-cramps ang paa niya at ‘di na niya magalaw ng maayos.”

Jimenez admitted that before round 10, he wanted to stop the fight. “Tinanong ko si Jerwin kung kaya pa niya,” he said. “Ayaw niyang sumuko. Lumaban siya hanggang dulo.” After the contest, Ancajas and Martinez were brought to the University Medical Trauma Center for CT-Scans. They were both cleared of head injuries. Martinez walked away with a broken nose. Ancajas was reunited with his wife and children yesterday and they are now staying at the Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite. Ancajas had not seen his family in over six months since leaving for the US last September.