REIGNING International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Super Flyweight Champion Jerwin Ancajas wants a new house for his own family as he no longer wants to continue renting a place in Cavite where they are currently residing.
The 25-year-old Panabo City native easily thought of building or buying a house for his wife Ruth and their two sons, three-year-old Jhinijie Kyrie and 20-month-old JJ Kyle, with the US$40,000 prize money he earned after defending his title against Mexican challenger Jose Alfredo Rodriguez at the Cotai Arena, Venetian Hotel in Macau, China Sunday evening, January 29. The purse was the biggest paycheck of his entire career.
“Unta lagi makakuha ko og sariling balay Ma'am para dili na sige pang-abang (I really hope I can get a house for my family so we don't have to rent all the time),” he said in a Facebook interview with this writer.
Ancajas has returned to the country and was a guest at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum in Manila with Rio Olympics 2016 weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz on Tuesday, January 30.
He said he will also help his parents who have been living separately. His father is currently residing in Bunawan, Davao City, on a lot that Ancajas bought with the P500,000 cash incentive he received from Senator Manny Pacquiao when he won his IBF world title last September. His mother Jeyllycita is residing in General Santos City.
His wife and two sons joined him in Manila on Tuesday. He planned to tour them around and spend more quality time with them after being away for a month to prepare for his title defense.
Ancajas said he was happy with the recognition he's been receiving and attention he's been getting from the media after his PSA forum guesting.
“Lipay nga kulba ko sa mga pangutana (I'm happy but nervous with the questions),” the world champion, who started as an amateur boxer of the Barangay Una Boxing Team of Davao del Norte, said.
He is giving himself two weeks to rest before he resumes training.
