Jerwin Might Return to Action against Argentinian Pumita Martínez in February

By Carlos Costa

Good news about the Filipino “Pretty Boy” Jerwin. Because numerous boxing news outlets report that gwapo Davaeño IBF super flyweight world champion Jerwin Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KO’s) might very likely be returning to action for the 10th defense of his world title on Saturday, Feb 5, in the USA at a venue still being decided.

Noting is absolutely confirmed, but it seems that the potential challenger for the very popular Jerwin could be undefeated Fernando Daniel “Pumita” Martinez (13-0, 8 KO’s) who hails from the football-loving Port City of Avellaneda in the Greater Buenos Aires in Argentina.

The 29-year-old Jerwin – who has been a champion of the world for more than 5 years – was just so much ready to battle awesome 4-division champion Kazuto Ioka (27-2, 15 KO’s) on New Year’s Eve in Japan.

Unfortunately for all, the hot unification rumble had to be scratched (at least for the moment), due to new in-flying restrictions into The Land of the Rising Sun.

Because of that, hard-hitting Japanese National Champion Ryoji Fukunaga (15-4, 14 KO’s will be taking Jerwin’s place in fighting Ioka on the same date and venue, the Ota-City General Gym in Tokyo.

It is widely expected that Kazuto Ioka would emerge victorious against he lesser-known Fukunaga, for which many fans still hope that the exciting Kazuto Ioka vs Jerwin Ancajas would fire up at some other time in 2022. Time will tell and we will keep you posted.

Then, Jerwin could not just stand idle doing nothing.

Thats why his team seem to be looking at Martinez, the unbeaten 115-pounder from the great Land of shinning idols Messi and Maradona.

As for the 30-year-old, 5′ 3½″ tall Argentinian “Pumita” Martinez, he was a good amateur boxer who competing in AIBA and WSB amateur tournaments and turn pro four years ago.

When “Pumita” turned pro, Jerwin was already a champion of the world, how about that?

Pumita’s most notable victory has been a round 11 stoppage win over unheard-of South African Athenkosi Dumezweni (13-3, 9 KO’s) back in 2019, and that’s it.

Other than that, there is not much to talk about Pumita’s accomplishment in boxing.

But let’s be careful. Because that doesn’t mean that the unknown Argentina boxer Pumita could no be dangerous.

And it does not mean that Jerwin can under-estimate him. On the contrary: the Pretty Boy must treat Pumita as well as each opponent with the seriousness required.

We all know that he does exactly that, as Jerwin Ancajas, an officer in the Filipino Navy, is well known for his professionalism, dedication to training, and complete focus on duty boxing.

In fact, I feel in my heart that Jerwin is a role model for our young Filipinos who can see in him what good hard work, commitment to sport and love for God, Family and Country can achieve.

Well done, best of luck always and Merry Christmas Jerwin!

The author Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com