Playing mind games

LOS ANGELES –  There seems to be tension in IBF superflyweight champion Fernando Martinez’ camp. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said Martinez’ trainer Rodrigo Calabrese raised a fuss over the personalized Canadian Hayabusa gloves to be worn by challenger Jerwin Ancajas for the fight set at the Dignity Health Sports Park here this morning (Manila time). Calabrese earlier confronted me after I interviewed Martinez and asked if he had difficulty making weight, if he expects Ancajas to be more dangerous in the rematch and how his training camp went.

Gibbons said Calabrese had no business complaining about Ancajas’ gloves because they were previously approved by the state commission. The gloves were sealed in plastic to prevent any kind of tampering. He also had no business confronting me as I had asked permission from Martinez’ team if I could speak with him and introduced myself as a Filipino reporter. “Mind games,” said Gibbons. “Maybe, they’re nervous. The way Jerwin looked at the weigh-in was nowhere near how he looked in their first fight. I think Martinez will be in for a surprise.”

Ancajas wasn’t himself when he lost his crown to Martinez last February. Because of leg cramps, Ancajas had no footwork, no lateral movement and was an easy target. “Jerwin was like a heavy bag who stood in front of Martinez to get hit,” said Gibbons. “It took a lot of heart to do what Jerwin did. He was banged up for 12 rounds but never went down.” Martinez set a new division record for throwing 1,046 punches, landing 427. In the rematch, Gibbons said Ancajas will fight tall. “It’s all about conditioning,” he said. “Jerwin wasn’t in shape for the first fight. He’s in shape now.” Ancajas will march into the ring to the tune of ACDC’s “Thunderstruck.”

It will be either Martinez’ ratification or Ancajas’ redemption. Martinez said he’ll put on a show for the fans with a Plan A and Plan B to counter whatever Ancajas brings to the table. Ancajas said nothing will stop him from regaining the crown and welcoming his fourth child, to be born in January, as a world champion.