Ancajas Ready For Bigger Game

It took IBF superfly-weight champion Jerwin Ancajas nine title defenses to finally gain the respect of the boxing cognoscenti but the recognition came richly deserved as the Panabo, Davao del Norte, native known as “Pretty Boy” floored tough Mexican challenger Jonathan Javier Rodriguez once in the eighth round then held off a late surge to score a unanimous 12-round decision at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, last Saturday night (yesterday morning, Manila time)

- Joaquin Henson

Ancajas, 29, strayed from his fight plan of striking from a distance to battle Rodriguez toe-to-toe in what transformed a tactical encounter into a brawl in the last six rounds. Rodriguez, 25, never took a step back in engaging Ancajas, trying to land the big punch that would propel his ascent to the throne. But Ancajas proved too slick, too smart and too strong in keeping the belt around his waist.

In the first round, Ancajas nearly toppled Rodriguez with a jarring left straight to the jaw. Ancajas said when the Mexican stayed on his feet despite almost hitting the deck, he knew it was going to be a long night. “Akala ko babagsak siya,” said Ancajas. “Bumigay yung tuhod pero kinaya niya. Doon ko nakita handa siyang makipagpalitan ng mukha. Sa eighth round, nasaktan siya sa katawan tapos sinunud-sunod ko ng suntok sa taas. Bagsak siya at tumingin sa corner, parang aayaw na. Nagulat ako noong tumayo. Bilib ako sa puso, tapang at determinasyon niya.”