CHICAGO - Beginning in August 16, 2012 until April 10, 2021, Jerwin Ancajas punched his way through 21 consecutive victories.
In that amazing run which lasted for 3,159 days, not only did 'Pretty Boy' annex the IBF super flyweight title, he defended his belt nine times.
Those were the days.
READ Ancajas in line to make history in world title fight vs Inoue
Now 32, approaching the twilight of arguably a Hall-of-Fame career, Ancajas, whose body has outgrown the 115-pound division, is now campaigning in the bantamweight class.
Tonight, at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, Ancajas takes aim at another crown when he challenges Takuma Inoue, the WBA's 118-pound king, in a 12-round battle.
Seasoned by so many wars he had slugged through in his13 years as a professional fighter, can Jerwin make a successful return to glory?
READY TO RUMBLE.
"Jerwin is looking like the Jerwin of old, the one who won the belt at 115 pounds. He is looking sharp, crisp, and everything went very well. He had a great camp at Survival Camp, lots of good sparring. He is ready," MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons told SPIN.ph in a telephone interview from Japan.
Fighting on his home soil, Takuma, who is the younger brother of superstar Naoya Inoue, has been favored by Las Vegas oddsmakers to retain his title.
Per BetMGM, Inoue is a -280 favorite meaning a $280 wager on him nets only $100. Jerwin, on the other hand, is a plus 220 underdog, which means a $100 bet on him collects $220.
But the odds don't account for Jerwin's experience, one of his biggest weapons heading into Saturday night.
At 34-3-0 Ancajas has fought more than twice as much as Takuma (18-0). Jerwin also enjoys a 1 1/2-inch height advantage and a reach advantage of 2 1/2 inches. A skilled, educated jabber, length can be a huge factor in favor of the tough Filipino.
Four years younger at 28, Takuma's scouting report reflects spectacular hand speed and overall quickness.
POWER ADVANTAGE.
But Ancajas has the greatest equalizer - knockout power. If his left hand, especially the hook and the upper cut, can find a home, victory can be had.
Unlike Jerwin who has 23 KOs in 34 victories, Inoue only has 4 knockouts in 18 wins, a 22.2 percent stoppage rate.
The difference in power supply allows Jerwin to bring the fight to the Japanese early and often, an essential course of action when challenging for a crown on the road.
If all things fall nicely into place, Gibbons is confident to hear one of the sweetest words a ring announcer can say.
"And the new two-time world champion!"
SULTAN IN THE UNDERCARD.
Meanwhile, a familiar name among Pinoy boxing fans will fight in the undercard of the Inoue-Ancajas main event.
Jonas Sultan.
The 32-year old bantamweight tries to weave his way back to championship contention when he faces Riku Masuda.
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