Former world champion Jerwin Ancajas is not done yet—and he wants everyone to know it.
The former IBF super flyweight world champion makes his featherweight debut on Saturday (Sunday, Philippine time) when he faces Mexican Rafael Rosas Ramirez in a non-title bout in Tijuana, Mexico. The fight is more than just another entry on the Filipino’s record. For Ancajas, it is the opening move in a deliberate climb through the weight classes—and a statement that the 34-year-old from Panabo, Davao del Norte still has plenty left.
“I feel fresh and ready to start this new chapter of my career on fire,” Ancajas said. “My condition is tremendously greater than it was. My punches, stamina and speed movements are so awesome.”
Ancajas Stays Patient
Ancajas has already done the groundwork. Last August, he tested the super bantamweight waters with a majority decision victory over Uruguay’s Ruben Dario Cesero in a non-title bout at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. The move from 118 to 122—and now potentially 126—has been calculated, not rushed.
Longtime coach Joven Jimenez, who has been overseeing his training and conditioning since February at the Knuckleheads boxing gym owned by international matchmaker Sean Gibbons, likes what he sees.
“He is extremely comfortable and he is fast, strong and his stamina looks okay at those weights,” Jimenez said. “We will see how he performs at 126 first, but we can still make it at 122 if he wants to.”
The coach kept it simple on what matters most heading into Saturday. “What is important is that Jerwin is prepared for the war.”
Who Is Rosas Ramirez?
Standing across the ring will be Rosas Ramirez, a natural super featherweight who brings a 20–10–2 record with 12 knockouts into the bout. The 35-year-old Mexican is a rugged, experienced opponent—and for Ancajas, that is exactly the kind of test this new chapter requires.
Ancajas carries a 37–4–2 record with 24 knockouts into Saturday, and he is not looking past Ramirez. Not one bit.
“I do not like to look forward to my next fight,” he said. “My focus is to win my fight in Tijuana.”
A win in Tijuana could set up Ancajas’s next chapter in boxing—and it is one that could hopefully bring a world title back to the Philippines.
