Ancajas retains IBF title in impressive US debut
FILIPINO world boxing champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas continued to rule after he successfully defended for a fourth straight time his International Boxing Federation super flyweight title yesterday over Mexican Israel Gonzalez by way of knockout in the 10th round in his United States debut.
Showing dominance throughout the scheduled 12-rounder, the Panabo City native Ancajas mixed power and crisp ring generalship before concluding things in the 10th with successive knockdowns to claim victory and impressively introduce himself to a wider audience in the US market.
Mr. Ancajas, improving to 29-1 with 20 KOs with the win, got off to a strong start, knocking down Mr. Gonzalez in the opening round off a solid left hook that immediately silenced the Mexican’s camp and supporters at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
It set up the tone for the rest of the match, with Mr. Ancajas unloading his power-laden full arsenal of left hooks, uppercuts, 1-2 combinations, jabs and straights that Mr. Gonzalez just could not handle.
Mr. Gonzalez tried to engage the Filipino champion into a brawl in the fifth round and gained some headway.
But Mr. Ancajas would eventually adjust and establish control anew as the round concluded.
In the succeeding rounds, Mr. Ancajas’ dominance held, setting up the finish in the 10th round.
As the fateful round wound up, Mr. Gonzalez (21-2) absorbed a powerful left straight that sent him down anew.
A standing count was given to him, which he beat, until he again was dropped by Mr. Ancajas moments later with a solid left that all but signaled the end to the fight.
The IBF super flyweight champion also ruled Compubox data to further underscore his emphatic victory.
He threw 477 punches, landing 130 for 27% to Mr. Gonzalez’s 16% (48-of-303).
Jabs also went his way with 19% (48-of-248) to 3% (2-of-81) for his opponent, and power punches 36% (83-of-231) to 19% (48-of-242).
“He (Gonzalez) showed a lot of determination and I was surprised to see the fight last this long. But I stayed aggressive and went for the finish,” said Mr. Ancajas through an interpreter after his victory.
Yesterday’s fight was the first for Mr. Ancajas with Top Rank Boxing and in the US where he hopes to make a name for himself further after what has been a successful professional boxing career so far.
Mr. Ancajas is being hailed as the next boxing sensation after Manny Pacquiao, something he is taking in strides but nonetheless hopes to live up to eventually down the line.
“I’m not too worried with the comparisons with Manny Pacquiao but if I can achieve at least half of what he has achieve through my hard work and determination then I will be happy,” Mr. Ancajas said.