Jerwin Ancajas eyes statement win in Zuffa Boxing debut

Former IBF super flyweight world champion Jerwin Ancajas is ready to ignite a new chapter in his career as he makes his highly anticipated Zuffa Boxing debut on Monday morning (Philippine time).

“Pretty Boy” is set to square off against unbeaten prospect Omar Trinidad in a featherweight contest, serving as the co-main event of Zuffa Boxing 8 at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Knowing a decisive victory could immediately put him on the fast track toward another world title opportunity, the 34-year-old Filipino veteran is determined to make a massive statement on this new global platform.

"'Yung goal namin na magka-Zuffa belt kami, makapanalo kami kung papalarin," Ancajas told GMA News Online in an exclusive interview. "Pero hindi basta-basta laban ito kasi alam natin 'yung pinapasok nila sa Zuffa Boxing. Piling-pili lang din na prospect."

(Our goal is to secure a Zuffa belt and win if fortune favors us. But this is no ordinary fight because we know the caliber of talent they bring into Zuffa Boxing. He is a very carefully selected prospect.)

A veteran of 44 professional bouts, Ancajas (38-4-2) is convinced that his championship experience gives him the edge over the up-and-coming Trinidad (20-0-2).

“'Yung experience ko, 'yung dedication, talagang gusto manalo sa laban na ito," Ancajas said of his biggest advantages. "Hindi natin iu-underestimate si Omar kasi isa rin siyang prospect. Kaya kailangan nating pagbutihan talaga itong darating na laban."

(My experience, my dedication, and my pure hunger to win this fight [are my advantages]. We are definitely not underestimating Omar because he is a legitimate prospect. That's why we really need to excel in this upcoming bout.)

While Ancajas remains confident in his skill set, he openly acknowledges why many view the 30-year-old American as the favorite heading into the bout.

"Nakikita naman nila yung laban talaga ni Omar. Grabe siyang agresibo, may malalakas ding suntok," Ancajas admitted. "Kami, hindi talaga nagkumpiyansa. May power talaga si Omar."

(People have seen how Omar fights. He’s incredibly aggressive and possesses serious power. We are absolutely not letting our guard down. Omar has genuine power.)

To counter that explosive threat, the Davao del Norte native and his longtime trainer Joven Jimenez have meticulously crafted a game plan designed to neutralize the American's offense.

"Sabi ni coach, dapat maunahan siya kasi kapag nakauna siya at nakatama, doon na siya nagiging agresibo," Ancajas added. "Hindi namin hahayaan na makuha niya yung momentum.”

(Coach told me that we need to beat him to the punch, because once he lands first, that’s when he gets aggressively relentless. We cannot allow him to build any momentum.)

The high-stakes featherweight collision will set the stage for the evening's main event between Edwin De Los Santos and Jose Valenzuela in the lightweight division.

—JKC, GMA News