Jerwin Ancajas works out for his February 2024 combat towards Takuma Inoue. (Photograph by Naoki Fukuda)
MANILA, Philippines – Jerwin Ancajas’ homecoming led to a considerably unsatisfying victory as he secured a disqualification win over Thailand’s Sukpraserd Ponpitak of their scheduled 10-round featherweight bout on Sunday on the Mandaluyong Metropolis School Gymnasium. A part of the “Blow-By-Blow” boxing collection, the combat was marred by repeated fouls from the Thai veteran, finally resulting in an abrupt stoppage within the fifth spherical.
Ancajas, the previous IBF junior bantamweight titleholder, wasted no time asserting himself. The Filipino southpaw dropped Ponpitak early within the first spherical with a crisp proper hook, catching the Thai chilly and setting the tempo for the remainder of the competition. Whereas Ponpitak recovered from the knockdown, Ancajas continued to search out his rhythm, touchdown a collection of unpolluted combos as he took command of the combat.
Nevertheless, what started as a dominant efficiency from Ancajas quickly become an unpleasant affair. Ponpitak, at 36 years previous and clearly outclassed, resorted to roughhouse techniques. Within the third spherical, the Thai was warned for extreme holding and sweeping Ancajas to the canvas, actions that value him a degree deduction. Regardless of the warnings, Ponpitak persevered in utilizing unlawful strikes, repeatedly clinching and pushing Ancajas to the bottom.
Within the fifth spherical, after Ponpitak as soon as once more slammed Ancajas into the nook, the referee had seen sufficient and disqualified the Thai for his repeated infractions, awarding Ancajas a victory by way of disqualification.
It was a bittersweet triumph for Ancajas, who was combating in entrance of his dwelling crowd for the primary time since his February loss to Takuma Inoue (20-1, 5 KO) in a WBA bantamweight title problem. The disqualification win pushes his report to 35-4-2 (23 KOs), however the nature of the victory left many in attendance wishing for a extra decisive conclusion. Ponpitak, whose tough techniques overshadowed what may have been a extra aggressive combat, drops to 30-20 (20 KOs).
Regardless of the less-than-ideal ending, Ancajas nonetheless showcased the sharpness and energy that made him a champion. His exact combos and ring generalship have been on full show, even when the combat’s untimely conclusion robbed him of a possible knockout.
With this win below his belt, Ancajas can now refocus on his path again to world title competition. Whether or not he stays at featherweight or decides to maneuver again right down to junior bantamweight, the “Fairly Boy” nonetheless has loads of combat left in him. As he continues to rebuild after latest setbacks, Ancajas stays a harmful presence in any division he chooses to marketing campaign in.
