Members of Jerwin Ancajas' camp knew they had to explore ways to improve their training methods, which is why they brought in a conditioning coach into their fold.

Delfin Boholst, part of the national boxing team from 2000 to 2012, has actually been with Team Ancajas since the "Pretty Boy" beat Teiru Kinoshita in Australia in July 2017.

The former amateur standout has enrolled for several units at the US-National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) during his stay in Fullerton, Calif., months ago and immediately used his newfound knowledge to help Ancajas.

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“Noong nag-attend ako doon, may natutunan agad ako. Kasi lecture sa umaga then ina-apply agad namin sa hapon. ‘Pag hindi nakuha, inuulit ulit namin. Kung anumang nakuha ko doon ina-apply ko kina Jerwin,” he told ABS-CBN News.

Upon the recommendation of his instructors in NSCA, he also sought the help of national weightlifters such as Hidilyn Diaz.

“Advice sa akin sa States, para mas mapadali, magpaturo rin sa mga weightlifter. May mga training sila na p’wedeng i-adapt sa boxing like snatch at similar lifts para lumakas,” said Boholst.

Ancajas said he felt improvements in his training after doing conditioning work.

“Si kuya Boholst, nag-aral siya sa Amerika noong last na laban ko. Pinaiwan namin siya para mag-aral, in-apply namin ngayon. Susubukan namin ‘yung magagawa namin sa mga bagong natutunan,” he said.

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“Naramdaman ko na may mga nagbago sa speed at power.”

Boxers such as Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather Jr. were known to have incorporated strength and conditioning techniques in their training routines.

It’s no surprise, said Boholst, since combat sports have become more scientific these days.

“Ang kahalagahan kasi ng strength and conditioning, pinag-aaralan natin kung paanong i-enhance ang speed, agility, at power ng atleta. Hindi ka magiging competitive ngayon kung wala ang mga iyon, so dapat naapply natin ang mga techniques para mapapalakas pa ang atleta,” he said.

“Babalik ako next year sa US para matapos 'yung course. Gusto ko ring bumili ng mga libro, para madagdagan ang kaalaman at matulungan sina Jerwin.”

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)