Knockout win against Israel Gonzalez a surprise for Pinoy boxer Jerwin Ancajas

Davao del Norte-born Jerwin Ancajas on Friday revealed that he wasn't expecting a knockout win against Mexico's Israel “Jiga” Gonzalez.

In an interview with Unang Balita on Friday, Ancajas said footage of Gonzalez fighting were scarce and they couldn't study his style intensely prior to the match.

"Pagdating sa first round, d'on na kami nag-aadjust sa laban po," Ancajas said.

The Pinoy boxer landed a solid straight in the 10th round during their match on February 3 at the Bank of America Center in Texas, which meant that he is still the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world super flyweight champion.

Ancajas, 26, holds a current record of 29 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw.

His opponent Jiga is known as a counterpuncher with a similarly impressive record of 21 wins, 1 loss and no draws. After the match with Ancajas, Jiga now has a record of 21-2-0.

In the footsteps of a giant

Boxing enthusiasts are eyeing Ancajas as "the next Manny Pacquiao" and though this flatters him, he said measuring up to Pacquiao is nothing short of Herculean.

"Para sa akin po, masaya ako na sinasabi nilang ako 'yong susunod. Pero sa akin po, napre-pressure [din] po ako sa sinasabi nila," Ancajas said. "'Yong nagawa ni Sir Manny...iba 'yong nagawa ni Sir Manny. Talang hirap. Wala na yatang makakapantay kay Sir Manny po."

Ancajas made it clear that he would always be grateful for the help he received and the opportunities that opened for him because of the boxer-turned-politician.

Asked for the best advice Pacquiao gave him, Ancajas said: "Stay humble." —Aya Tantiangco/KG, GMA News