JERWIN Ancajas vows to do better than the last time he fought as he makes his first appearance for 2019 on Sunday (Manila time) when he battles Ryuichi Funai for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight title.
The 27-year-old Filipino struggled against Mexican Alejandro Santiago, who held the champion to a split draw in their 12-round encounter in Oakland, California last September.
Ancajas said he’ll be a different fighter when he makes the seventh defense of his 115-lbs crown at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California, although he has a high regard for his Japanese challenger.
“My last fight against Alejandro Santiago Barrios was a hard fight for me, but I was not happy with the outcome,” Ancajas said during the formal press conference held Friday (Manila time).
“This will be my seventh title defense. We are confident, but we respect the challenge in front of us. Funai is a good, tough fighter.”
Funai holds a 31-7 record with 22 KOs, but is fighting in his first world title bout in his very first trip to the U.S.
But he likes his chances against Ancajas (30-1-2, 20 KOs), who he described as a ‘famous champion.’
“I have a strong heart and I will be aggressive,” said the Japenese. “I thank Ancajas for the opportunity, but I am here to become the new champion.”
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