ANCAJAS STILL CHAMP
Panabo City native shows no ill effects of inactivity
Filipino boxer Jerwin Ancajas hammered out a unanimous decision victory over Mexican Jonathan Javier Rodriguez yesterday to successfully defend his International Boxing Federation super flyweight title at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
It was the first fight for Ancajas in more than a year, and he showed no rust in the 12-round bout.
The judges scored the fight 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110 all for Ancajas, the Panabo City native who extended his win streak to nine after wresting the crown from Jose Alfredo Rodriguez also of Mexico in January 2017.
“This is the toughest fight for me,” said the 29-year-old Ancajas.
Ancajas improved his ring record to 33 wins with 22 by way of knockout with one loss and two draws.
Rodriguez, meantime, suffered his second defeat that snapped his six-win streak which followed a split decision loss to compatriot Jose Estrada Garcia in March 2018. He has 22 wins, 16 in KOs.
Ancajas, who arrived in the United States last October 2020, was the aggressor until the middle rounds. When the 25-yearold Rodriguez started to connect with his counter punches, the Filipino was able to withstand the assault with combinations to the head and body.
The last time Ancajas fought was when he knocked out Chile’s Miguel Gonzalez in the sixth round back in December 2019 in Mexico. He battled the Chilean when the bout versus Rodriguez in the US didn’t push through.
Possibly next for Ancajas is Thai superstar Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. The former World Boxing Council super flyweight champion has won his last three fights for a 50-5-1 record.
Prior to the fight, the camp of Ancajas led by MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons had said that they would pursue a fight against Rungvisai.
Other options for Ancajas, according to Gibbons, are fights against WBC and WBA super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico and Nicaragua’s Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez.