By WAYLON GALVEZ
Jerwin Ancajas scored a unanimous decision win over Mexican Jonathan Javier Rodriguez and kept his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight title Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Though it was Ancajas’ first fight in more than a year, he remained sharp and accurate especially in the 8th round where he knocked down the Mexican.
Rodriguez, however, was practically saved by the bell.
The judges scored the fight – 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110 – all in favor of Ancajas, the Panabo City native who extended his win streak to nine, or since he won the title against Jose Alfredo Rodriguez of Mexico in January 2017.
“This is the toughest fight for me,” said the 29-year-old Ancajas, who lost steam in the last three rounds of the 12-round fight.
Ancajas improved his ring record to 33 wins (22 knockouts) with one loss and two draws as he snapped Rodriguez’s six-win streak.
It was Rodriguez’s second defeat or since a split decision loss to fellow Mexican Jose Estrada Garcia in March 2018. He has 22 wins, 16 by KOs.
Ancajas, who arrived in the US only last October 2020, was the clear aggressor.
But when the 25-year-old Rodriguez started to connect with his counter punches, the Filipino was able to withstand those with his own 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.
Next for Ancajas is the possibility of facing Thai superstar Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. The former World Boxing Council super flyweight champion who has won his last three fights for a 50-5-1 record.
