Rematch for Ancajas

Jerwin Ancajas is determined to regain the IBF superflyweight crown he held for six years and has decided to exercise the rematch option in the fight contract with Argentinian Fernando Martinez who dethroned him on a unanimous 12-round decision in Las Vegas last February.

At first, Ancajas wasn’t sure if he would stay in the 115-pound division or move up to the 118-pound bantamweight ranks. His manager/trainer Joven Jimenez had said after the loss to Martinez, maybe it was time to reevaluate future plans. Ancajas was on track to make weight for the Martinez fight, his 10th defense, until the last few days before the weigh-in. He said an experiment to soak himself in a tub with salt and alcohol as a way to lose weight turned out to be counter-productive. The last few pounds to cut were a pain and although Ancajas scaled 114 1/2 for the fight, he was totally drained. He had little power when the bout began and the lack of sting encouraged Martinez to bang away with impunity. In the first round, the tone was evident as Martinez landed 23 punches and Ancajas only six.

Martinez showed no respect for Ancajas, a 5-1 favorite, and plowed his way through the defense to throw an incredible 1,046 blows or 87 a round. His landing rate was 41 percent or 35 a round compared to Ancajas’ 24 percent or an average of 16. Martinez never lost steam and in the last four frames, averaged 42.25 connections to Ancajas’ 16.5. To his credit, Ancajas never backed off and stood his ground to battle Martinez head on. The judges scorecards weren’t close as Max de Luca had it 117-111 while Steve Weisfeld and David Sutherland saw it 118-110 each.

If Ancajas displayed even half of his usual self, there was no way Martinez could have unleashed more than 1,000 punches. It’s that perception that eventually led Ancajas to go for the rematch. Jimenez said he’ll negotiate to bring back nutritionist Jeaneth Aro to the team. Aro supervised Ancajas’ nutrition program for a series of successful defenses but wasn’t contracted for Martinez.

Ancajas is now training in Bukidnon with Jimenez. His mind is set on taking the crown back from Martinez. “Rematch talaga ang gusto ni Jerwin,” said Jimenez. “Kinausuap ako ni Jerwin tungkol sa rematch. Sabi ni (MP Promotions) head Sir Sean (Gibbons), July o August ang laban. Nagumpisa na kami mag-training one month after ng laban kay Martinez.”

Aro, who has worked with Hidilyn Diaz, the Philippine Olympic boxing team and PBA players, will play a key role in getting Ancajas back on track. She’s a master at preparing a nutrition program for an athlete to stay within his or her weight class without compromising strength. Ancajas, 30, is convinced that he has what it takes to bring down the undefeated Martinez and the rematch will prove his point. As the challenger, Ancajas has to take the initiative and carry the fight to Martinez who, for sure, will go all out to show his win to capture the throne was no fluke.