Jerwin Ancajas is the slight underdog going into his title challenge against reigning World Boxing Association bantamweight king Takuma Inoue on 24 February in Tokyo.
Listed as the moderate underdog, a $100 wager on an Ancajas victory would win $200.
In contrast, a $200 bet on Inoue would win $100.
Takuma, younger brother of undisputed world super-bantamweight titlist Naoya, will be making the first defense of the WBA 118-lb strap that he had won after beating Liborio Solis of Venezuela last April.
Ancajas, who turned 32 on New Year’s Day, will be Takuma’s sixth Filipino opponent.
Holding an 18-1 record with 24 knockouts, Takuma’s lone loss was inflicted by Frenchman Nordine Oubaali in 2019.
Oubaali dropped Takuma in the middle rounds and wound up scoring a unanimous decision win.
Unlike his fancied elder brother Naoya, Takuma is the total opposite.
While Naoya is heavy-handed and durable, Takuma is feather-fisted and gets easily knocked down.
In 2016, Takuma hit the floor after taking an overhand right from Filipino Froilan Saludar.
But Takuma regained his composure and beat the fatigued Saludar on a 10-round decision.
Ancajas, meanwhile, constantly gets help from members of the Philippine national team.
His regular sparring partner is Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam.
