By CARLO ANOLIN
Tokyo Games bronze medal winner Eumir Marcial hopes to notch his third pro fight win while seasoned veteran Jerwin Ancajas goes for redemption when they collide against their respective rivals Saturday night, Oct. 7, (Sunday in Manila) at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Ancajas faces Fernando Martinez in a grudge rematch with the former Filipino champion aching to reclaim the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight,
Marcial, on the other hand, takes on Steven Pichardo in a middleweight clash in his third professional bout.
Both Ancajas and Martinez tipped the scales at 114.75 lbs while Marcial weighed in at 161.25 lbs, his rival, Pichargo, was a bit heavier at 161.75. lbs.
Ancajas lost to Martinez last February, brawling it out for 12 excitingrounds.
After the defeats of Ancajas, Nonito Donaire, and Mark Magsayo this year, the Philippines has lost all of its boxing champions.
That defeat was the 30-year-old Ancajas second against 33 wins, 22 by knockouts along with two draws.
Martinez, representing Argentina, for his part, boasts a perfect 14-0 slate built on eight KOs.
In their first encounter, Martinez, 31, showed immense stamina and leveled Ancajas’ in terms of inside boxing while unleashing powerful hooks.
This led to Ancajas’ demise as Martinez ended his six-year reign as IBF titlist.
The Tokyo Olympian improves with two wins at hand with a lone KO while Pichardo holds an 8-2-1 slate along with two KOs.
