Jerwin Ancajas will stay in the United States longer even after defending his IBF super flyweight title against Jonathan Rodriguez successfully.
The 29-year-old and his camp have decided to remain and give their full support to middleweight sensation Eumir Marcial. The Filipino fighter is neck-deep in his preparations for the much-anticipated Tokyo Olympics in July.
“[Nandoon] ‘yung suporta namin sa kanya na makakuha ng gintong medalya para sa Pilipinas, kasi ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-gusto niya,” Ancajas said Sunday in a Zoom call hours after his UD victory over the Mexican fighter.
“Gusto naming suportahan siya kasi ayaw namin siyang iwan dito. Kasi, ‘yun nga, sabi niya malulungkot siya.”
Ancajas and Marcial, both under MP Promotions, flew to the US together last September to train for their respective assignments. And the months the Mindanaoan fighters have spent formed a bond so deep.
“Iba rin ‘yung samahan namin dito nung seven months eh. Parang kapatid na rin,” he said.
“Gusto namin suportahan talaga si Eumir.
“Kung gusto niya mag-stay muna dito habang papalapit yung laban — kasi pupunta naman daw sila ng Japan mga one month or ano — sasamahan namin siya. Gusto naming suportahan si Eumir,” he continued.
Asked how the former AIBA Junior World champion has been doing in his build-up thus far, Ancajas proudly reported that the Filipinos will see a very different Marcial come the Olympics slated on July 23-August 8.
“Masasabi ko na ibang Eumir ‘yung makikita niyo pagdating sa Olympics,” he shared. “Sana gabayan ng Panginoon na mabigyan siya ng magandang kundisyon. Masasabi ko ngayon, iba na ‘yung suntok ni Eumir.
“Lahat ng mga nakaka-sparring ni Eumir doon, talagang minsan, iniiwasan na siya. ‘Yan lang muna maaano ko ngayon. Iniiwasan siya kasi nambubugbog,” Ancajas added in between chuckles.
The Panabo City-native is in awe of the work Marcial has been putting in to give the Philippines its first-ever Olympic gold medal. And so they want to be with him every step of the way to help him reach that goal.
“Gustong-gusto niya makakuha ng ginto at manalo rito sa Olympics. ‘Yun ‘yung nakikita ko po kay Eumir. Sa training binubuhos niya talaga, hindi siya nagpapabaya,” Ancajas shared.
“Sa’min kaya sinasamahan namin si Eumir para may gagabay din sa kanya, na kumbaga, kung sakali man na may problemang darating, payo-payo, ganyan. Bihira lang marating ‘yung ganyan eh,” he added.
“Ako nga dati gusto ko rin mag-Olympics, iba yung dinaanan natin. Kaya buhos natin ‘yung suporta sa kanya kasi bihira lang darating sa buhay natin ‘yung opportunity na ganyan, at nakikita ko kay Eumir na pursigido talaga siya.”
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