by Nick Giongco
Jerwin Ancajas is not skipping a beat even during the Holy Week as the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) superflyweight focuses on keeping his weight in check heading into his May 4 defense in Stockton, California.
The division limit is 155 lbs and Ancajas, who meets mandatory challenger Ryuichi Funai of Japan at the 12,000-capacity Stockton Arena.
“Tutal napapanahon naman ang sakripisyo eh (Besides, it is the season for making sacrifices),” said Ancajas during a break in his training at the Gregorio Lim Marine Base in Ternate, Cavite.
Ancajas, making the seventh defense of the crown he won in Sept. 2016, is scheduled to fly to San Francisco on April 23.
Currently, Ancajas is keeping his weight under 125 lbs to give him enough energy to train non-stop during the Lenten break.
His weight is being closely monitored by nutritionist Jeaneth Aro, who will join Ancajas during fight week to zero in on the official weighin set on the eve of the title bout.
Last week, Ancajas hosted an open media workout and declared that he is almost ready to go to repulse Funai’s challenge.
Funai will be Ancajas’ second Japanese challenger after Teiru Kinoshita, who the Filipino southpaw stopped in July 2017 in Brisbane, Australia.
Last year, Ancajas made three defenses, winning twice and drawing once, something his entire team wants to better as international matchmaker Sean Gibbons is eyeing for bigger names next.
