By Carlos Costa

MACAO, China   —   Filipino super flyweight world champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas won the prestigious IBF Jersey Joe Walcott Fighter of the Year Award during the glamorous IBF Annual Banquet Thursday, May 30, at the plush Wynn Palace Hotel here in Macao.

IBF President Daryl Peoples and IBF Championships Committee Chairman Carlos Colon handed the award to a deeply touched Jerwin Ancajas who smiled big while greeting the applauding audience.    

Together with Jerwin was the man who made him a boxing star: his coach and close friend Joven Jimenez, director of the popular Filipino boxing gym “Survival Camp” in Cavite not far from the Capital Manila.  

Jerwin Ancajas’ recognition was one of the highlights of the ongoing IBF 36th Annual Convention unfolding in the former Portuguese Colony, an event full of boxing activities scheduled for a boxing show grand finale on Saturday, June 1.

The ever-smiling 27-year-old Davaeño boxer defended his red and golden world title belt three times in 2018 with victories over Mexican Israel Gonzalez, fellow Filipino Jonas Sultan, and a draw with Mexican Alejandro Santiago Barrios.  

In addition, Ancajas (31-1-2, 21 KO’s), defended his IBF belt again last month with a knockout win over Japanese Ryuichi Funai.    Total: seven world title defenses, enough to secure “The Pretty Boy” the most coveted IBF award of the year.

Present during the meaningful moment were members of Ancajas team as well as a large number of delegates and special guests attending the gala dinner, including the unbeaten “Monster” IBF/WBA bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue (18-0, 16 KO’s).

BoxingAction24 congratulates Filipino Jerwin Ancajas for winning the Jersey Joe Walcott, wishing him more success in his boxing career.

The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines.   Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.comand by whatsapp/viber/wechat:   +639184538152.