Sport

Warrior Jamie Conlan gets long-awaited world title shot against Manny Pacquaio protege Jerwin Ancajas

WARRIOR Jamie Conlan gets the title shot he deserves against Filipino IBF super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas on November 18.

The west Belfast fighter (19-0) has had to deal with more than his fair share of disappointment over his eight-year pro career but has consistently delivered in a series of epic barnstormers including the 2016 British Fight of the Year against Anthony Nelson that won him the Commonwealth title.

The super-flyweight division is one of the hottest, if not the hottest, in the world at the minute and Ancajas is up there in the top two or three in all the rankings.

“He’s a southpaw, he’s light on his feet, he’s heavy-handed, he’s in and out and doesn’t stand and mix with you,” said Conlan.

“The gameplan has to be right and I have to be very disciplined on the night, but I have a brother (Michael) who is able to do everything Ancajas can do and better.

“He’s coming into the camp and I have sparred him since we were kids so I know how to deal with a southpaw who is light on his feet and sharp and in and out. I know how to fight my own fight and win my own fight.”

Ancajas fought on the undercard of his manager Manny Pacquaio’s controversial loss to Jeff Horn in Brisbane last July.

The bill also included Michael Conlan’s third pro fight and Jamie was at ringside cheering on his younger brother and took the opportunity to have a close look at Ancajas.

“Winning the world title will make everything, all the bad days that came when you didn’t want to do it any more, worthwhile,” he said.

“As a kid, this is what you dream of, to become a world champion, but to become a world champion in the electric atmosphere that the SSE Arena would be amazing.

“From being involved in negotiations, I know he doesn’t want to come here.

“I know that was one of the major stumbling blocks, he didn’t want to travel to Belfast. He wanted it somewhere else but we got what we wanted and I believe it’s going to add a bit extra on the night and that I’ll be world champion.”

Conlan won’t top the bill on November 18. That privilege will go to Carl Frampton who remains the big draw but in typical style, ‘the Mexican’ says that being the headline act doesn’t bother him – he just wants to win the world title.

“I don’t need my ego massaged,” he said.

“I’m fighting for a world title and I don’t care if I’m on at six o’clock or 10 o’clock. I’ve never been envious of other people and I’m happy that Carl has come back and has got his wish to fight in Belfast and that he’s part of MTK and we’re all in the same stable. It does not bother me what my position on the bill is, all that bothers me is becoming world champion.”