Young boxing champ gets inspiration from Pacman

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY —Jerwin "Pretty Boy" Ancajas, just like many boxers in the country today, is inspired to work hard by no other than living legend Senator Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.

Ancajas, 27, was in the city last Friday (December 7) as a participant to the Mindanao-wide gathering of Christian Pastors.

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) Junior Bantamweight champion from Panabo City, Davao del Norte, said he owes Pacquiao a lot.

“He is my inspiration and he has embraced me as a member of his MP Promotions. He is a legend and I want to be like him,’’ he said during a press conference here.

Ancajas has very high respect for Pacquiao that he does not even want to be compared to the senator. “We are very different, sir Manny is special while I am just starting to make a name for myself in boxing,’’ he said.

He also asked Filipinos to pray for Manny Pacquiao for the latter's incoming fight against the younger and very aggressive Adrien “The Problem” Broner of the United States next month, in Las Vegas.

There are close similarities between Ancajas and Pacquiao.

Ancajas is also from Mindanao and is also a lefty. And the similarities do not end there. Both fighters are also knockout artists. Pacquaio is older and has fought 69 times, won 60 matches with 39 KO’s, 7 losses and 2 draws.

Ancajas, on the other hand, has fought 33 times won 30, with 20 of them by KO and suffered only one loss and drew once.

His spectacular performances this year on the ring has attracted very important "fans" like the big shot politicians of Cagayan de Oro City, Maxie Jr., and Rufus Rodriguez.

“I met Jerwin last year at a birthday party. He is very humble, very friendly and very talented on the ring. I have become a fan,’’ said former congressman Rufus Rodriguez.

His brother and current Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Maxie Rodriguez Jr. also admitted to be Ancajas' fan.

“We have been supporting him; in fact, we are planning with my brother to watch his next match in the US next year,’’ Maxie said.

Meanwhile, Ancajas is looking forward to his next fight sometime in February. He has been lined-up by his US promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank promotion to fight WBC champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in the US probably in February or March.

Although nothing has been signed yet, Ancajas said that he is being assured by Arum that the fight will happen in the US.

“I already met For Rungvisai in Thailand recently and I saw him fight. I am confident that with God’s help I can win against him, he said.

Ancajas successfully defended his IBF title three times abroad this year. He knocked out Israel Gonzales in February, at the Bank of America Center, Corpus Christi and won via unanimous decision over fellow Filipino  Jonas Sultan in Save Mart Arena, Fresno, California last May.

He then escaped a controversial draw over Alejandro Santiago Barrios at the Oracle Arena also in Oakland, California.

Ancajas captured the IBF Super Flyweight title in 2016 over McJoe Arroyo here in Taguig City. (PNA)