Gibbons warns Ancajas to be wary

MANILA, Philippines — Mexican challenger isn’t like any opponent whom IBF superlfyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas has faced before and MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons has warned the Panabo, Davao del Norte, titlist to get ready for an all-out war at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson City, California, tomorrow night (Sunday morning, Manila time).

Ancajas, 27, said he knows what he’s up against and won’t let his guard down. “So many want to beat me and become champion,” he said in Pilipino. “I never take any challenger lightly. I’m making my eighth defense and I’m looking forward to an exciting fight against Rodriguez. He’s very aggressive, more aggressive than (Israel) Gonzalez or (Alejandro) Santiago. He’s a typical Mexican warrior so I have to be prepared.”

Gonzalez and Santiago were two of three Mexican challengers whom Ancajas has battled. Ancajas stopped Gonzalez while he drew with Santiago. Another Mexican challenger Jose Alfredo Rodriguez was halted by Ancajas. It will be Rodriguez’ first fight outside of Mexico and for sure, he’s coming locked and loaded.

“Rodriguez won’t go away,” said Ancajas. “He’s a swarmer. He reminds me of Orlando Salido who’s the only fighter to beat (Vasyl) Lomachenko. But I think he suits my style. I’ll be ready to counter when he comes in.”

Rodriguez, 24, likes to set up his victims with body shots then goes for the kill with head blows. Last June, he was devastating in halting two-time world title challenger Felipe Orucuta who collapsed on the canvas and lost consciousness after the bout was stopped. Gibbons said Orucuta looked shop-worn before the contest and was an easy target for Rodriguez’ vicious head punches. The win immediately gained for Rodriguez a reputation as a dangerous opponent.

“Rodriguez is definitely coming to fight,” said Gibbons. “In a way, he’s like (Juan Francisco) Estrada so this is a good test for Jerwin. I expect an exciting fight. It’ll be fun for Jerwin, I don’t know if it’ll be fun for Rodriguez. I don’t predict how a fight will end but I see Jerwin’s arm getting raised after the fight. It’ll be by a KO or decision.”

Estrada holds the WBC version of the 115-pound championship and he’s Ancajas’ ultimate target. “Jerwin wants to fight the best,” said Gibbons. “We’re not after defending the title 15 times against run-of-the-mill fighters. Estrada is the target. I’m told he’s fighting on Dec. 14 so if Jerwin and Estrada win their next fights, I can see them going head-on in the first quarter of the new year.”

But Ancajas is careful not to look beyond Rodriguez. He trained in isolation at the Naval Education Training and Doctrine Command base in San Antonio, Zambales, for over two months and won’t let the sacrifice of being away from his family go to waste. Anacjas arrived in Los Angeles last Oct. 18 and went through the final stage of his workouts with trainer/manager Joven Jimenez.