Ancajas, Memo joining hands

We’ll get the (world) title back

Ravaged by weight problems, subpar conditioning and diet woes, Jerwin Ancajas will finally undergo rehabilitation in his quest to regain his lofty standing on the world stage under the revered fitness freak Memo Heredia.

“It’s official. He (Ancajas) will be back around May to start camp. I’m happy I know his quality as a boxer is great. He’s got a good chin. Good technique,” Heredia told Daily Tribune yesterday from the United States.

Heredia’s entry into Ancajas’ team comes a week after the Filipino southpaw lost his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight crown to Argentine Fernando Martinez via a 12-round unanimous decision in Las Vegas.

Ancajas was making the tenth defense of the IBF 115-lb title and a win would have enabled him to match the same number of defenses made by the late Flash Elorde in the 1960s, which is the yardstick among Filipino world champions.

But cracks began to show in Ancajas’ armor when he met Mexican Jonathan Rodriguez in April last year in Connecticut.

Rodriguez took control of the last three rounds as Ancajas lost steam.

I’m very happy because all I am going to do is just make a little changes on his conditioning, his nutrition.

Heredia, known for his association with Juan Manuel Maquez and Yordenis Ugas, feels Ancajas made the right decision in getting his services so he can rebuild.

Also the conditioning coach of Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and rising bantamweight contender Jonas Sultan, Heredia is looking forward to kicking off his work with Ancajas in about two months time.

Ancajas is on his way back to Manila after spending more than six months in America.

“I’m very happy because all I am going to do is just make a little changes on his conditioning, his nutrition. We’ll get the (world) title back,” Heredia said.

Heredia was Marquez’s strength coach when the Mexican counterpuncher sent Manny Pacquiao to dreamland in 2012. He was also with Ugas last August when the Cuban handed Pacquiao his retirement papers.