Ancajas eager to avenge loss to Martinez in IBF title rematch

FORMER world champion Jerwin Ancajas is eager to take back his International Boxing Federation (IBF) from Fernando Martinez when they face off in a world title rematch on Oct. 9 (PH time) at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

“I was not in as good of shape in our last fight. I fought toe-to-toe because my legs were cramping in the fight. Now we’ve prepared for what he does in the ring, and we’ll be ready to reclaim our belt. I can’t wait to get in the ring. Winning my title back is all I’ve been thinking about since we first fought. I know I have what it takes and I’m going to prove it on Saturday night,” Ancajas said in the show’s final presser.

The 30-year-old Ancajas defended his belt against Martinez last Feb. 26 in Las Vegas. It was a 12-round war with Martinez walking out with a convincing unanimous decision over Ancajas, who came into the fight with a six-year title reign.

Martinez came in as a huge underdog against Ancajas, considered one of the best fighters from the Philippines, but came out as the better fighter.

“I’m very motivated for this fight, as much or more than the first time we fought. We’re familiar with each other now, but I’m not taking anything for granted,” said the 31-year-old Argentinean.

Ancajas is 33-2-2 with 22 knockouts, while Martinez is 14-0 with eight knockouts.

Also seeing action in the same card is Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial.

The 26-year-old Marcial is coming off the toughest pro fight of his career last April 3 against Isiah Hart in Las Vegas. He was dropped three times but showed a ton of heart and knocked out Hart in the fourth round.

Picardo, on the other hand, is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Shady Gamhour last April 22 also in Las Vegas.

Marcial is 2-0 with a knockout, while Pichardo is 8-2-1 with two knockouts.

The show also features two world title fights to complete the triple-header.

Sebastian Fundora (19-0-1, 13 KOs) defends his interim World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight belt against Carlos Ocampo (34-1, 22 KOs), while Carlos Adames (21-0, 16 KOs) trades leathers with Juan Macias Montiel (23-5-2, 23 KOs) for the interim WBC middleweight strap.