Jerwin, Eumir join hands

TAGAYTAY CITY — Jerwin Ancajas will seek the assistance of the Philippine boxing team to shore up his preparation for a world title shot on 24 February in Tokyo.

Believing that Japanese champion Takuma Inoue will resort to counter-punching and constant movement, Ancajas and his chief trainer Jerwin Ancajas plan to work with top amateurs twice a week at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

"Wednesday and Friday," Jimenez said.

"We need sparmates who would use lots of movement because that's what Inoue is going to do," Ancajas said after uprooting his training camp in Las Vegas.

Inoue, younger brother of pound-for-pound star Naoya, makes the first defense of the World Boxing Association bantamweight belt against the Filipino southpaw at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena.

Ancajas has broached the idea to the Philippine Olympic Committee, whose president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, has vowed to lend a helping hand.

Meanwhile, Tokyo bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, a close pal of Ancajas, is in the thick of preparations for a fight in late-February.

This city, known for its cool climate, is being eyed as the venue for Marcial's fifth professional fight as the Zamboanga lefty revs up for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"I really hope that the fight happens because it would be ideal that I get to fight twice (professionally) before I head to the Olympics," Marcial said.

MP Promotions, the outfit that Manny Pacquiao owns, is staging the Marcial fight with Sean Gibbons and Joe Ramos teaming up.

Last time Marcial fought in the pro ranks, he knocked out Ricardo Villalba of Argentina last February in San Antonio, Texas.

Marcial and Ancajas did roadwork together before meeting up with the POC chief, who has vowed to help the two punchers.