Ancajas-Martinez rematch set Oct. 8

By Lito delos Reyes

Former champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas of Panabo City will finally have a rematch against International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight title-holder Fernando “Pumita” Martinez of Argentina on Oct. 8 in Los Angeles.

“It is a direct rematch,” said Joven Jimenez, manager and chief trainer of Ancajas.

The 30-year-old Ancajas had a rematch clause and decided to invoke it rather than making the move to bantamweight. Ancajas and his team will leave in September for Los Angeles, California, USA.

“We will work harder so that the condition must be good,” said Jimenez.

Ancajas is currently 135 pounds and has four sparring partners Jonas “Zorro” Sultan (18-6-0, 11KOs), John Mark “Tough Guy” Alimane (8-1-0, 4KOs), undefeated Daniel Lim (10-0-0, 2KOs) and Fernando Parcon.

They are presently training at the Survival Camp in Barangay Ramirez, Magallanes, Cavite.

“So far it’s only the Sultan who has also had a fight already,” said Jimenez.

Ancajas, who is rated No. 6 by IBF, blamed his poor performance on the weight cut. Ancajas won the IBF title by defeating McJoe Arroyo (UD 12) on September 3, 2016 and made nine successful defenses.

The popular Filipino fought on the road regularly, competing in Macau, Australia, Ireland, the U.S. and Mexico.

Ancajas’ record is 33-2-2 (22 KOs) while Martinez has 14-0, 8 knockouts.