Takuma Inoue is not handing over the World Boxing Association bantamweight to Filipino challenger Jerwin Ancajas on a silver platter on 24 February.
In fact, Inoue is not even entertaining the idea of giving Ancajas optimism over his chances of dethroning him that will put an end to the Philippines’ string of setbacks in world title fights the last 10 months.
Making the first defense of the WBA 118-lb belt that he won last year, Takuma, whose elder brother Naoya is the undisputed super-bantamweight titlist, has been making a lot of heads turn in his training camp near Yokohama.
A little over two weeks before he meets Ancajas at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena, Inoue is not only looking determined to prevent the title from heading back to the Philippines.
The Japanese is also out to stop Ancajas from joining Luisito Espinosa and Nonito Donaire as WBA champions in the storied weight class.
Inoue, 28, is the betting favorite against Ancajas, 32.
But ringsiders believe Ancajas’ experience could prove to be the big difference in the 12-rounder.
But this will only be the second time Ancajas is fighting in the division and there is a concern whether his power is sufficient enough for Inoue to be concerned about.
Still, the lack of pop in Inoue’s punches is also being looked at.
Armed with an 18-1-0 record, Inoue only has four knockouts to his name while Ancajas’ mark signifies a decent amount: 34-3-2 with 23 knockouts.
Meanwhile, Inoue is hosting an open media workout on Thursday at the Ohashi Gym in Yokohama.
Ancajas, who will arrive in Tokyo on 17 February, will get his turn on 20 February at the Teiken Gym in Tokyo’s trendy Shinjuku area.
The press conference happens on the 22nd at the Tokyo Dome Hotel while the official weighin takes place also in the same venue the following day.
