IBF champ to chart own path: GAB head

The 26-year-old Ancajas retained his title by stopping Mexican challenger Israel Gonzales via a 10th round technical knockout last February 3 at the Bank of America Center in Corpus Christi, USA. (Photo by Kristin Wall/Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0)

DAVAO CITY – Fresh from an impressive showing in his title defense in a US debut, International Boxing Federation (IBF) World super flyweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas of Panabo City will chart his own path in the boxing arena and not just be another Manny Pacquiao.

“I have talked to Jerwin about this and he has no problem with it and will chart his own course,” said Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chair Abraham Kahlil “Baham” Mitra.

“Ancajas will always be fighting under the shadow of our great fighting Senator Manny Pacquiao as he (Pacquiao) is surely going to be in the Boxing Hall of Fame (for) having won titles in (eight) weight divisions.”

The 26-year-old Ancajas retained his title by stopping Mexican challenger Israel Gonzales via a 10th round technical knockout last February 3 at the Bank of America Center in Corpus Christi, USA.

Team Ancajas headed by chief trainer-manager Joven Jimenez was scheduled to arrive in Manila on Feb. 7 at 5:30 a.m.

“We plan to have the usual hero’s welcome and viewing of the fight at the GAB,” said Mitra, a former governor and congressman of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Mitra and his two GAB Commissioners Edward Trinidad and Mar Masanguid will also try to get another audience with President Rodrigo Duterte for Ancajas.

“But as we all know he (Duterte) is also a very busy man,” said Mitra.

Ancajas, now based in Magallanes, Cavite, and his team was accompanied by the GAB officials during a courtesy call to the President after successfully defending his crown via a 6th round technical knockout over previously unbeaten Jamie Conlan of Ireland last November 18, 2017 at The SSE Arena in Belfast.

Ancajas, who is now being promoted by Bob Arum, successfully made his fourth title defense of the crown he took away from then-undefeated Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo via a convincing unanimous decision last September 3, 2016 at the Jurado Hall of the Philippine Marine Corp in Barangay Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.