SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Jerwin Ancajas fended off Jonathan Rodriguez’s desperate assaults to prevail by unanimous decision and retain the International Boxing Federation super flyweight crown on Saturday, April 10 (Sunday, April 11, Philippine time) at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Unloading a torrent of punches, Ancajas knocked down Rodriguez in the eighth round to pull away in the scorecards and went on to become the division’s most successful champion with 9 defenses of the 115-pound belt he wrested from McJoe Arroyo in 2016.
Shrugging off a 16-month layoff, Ancajas showed speed and counter-punching skills to beat the gritty Rodriguez, 115-112, 116-111, 117-110, and raise his record to 33-1-2 with 22 knockouts.
Finding his range early, Ancajas took 5 of the first 7 rounds with jabs and body blows, then sent Rodriguez to the canvas with a well-rehearsed combination.
Knowing he’s way behind, Rodriguez came back strong in the remaining rounds, even taking the 12th and last round with head connections.
Rodriguez, however, knew he fell short and gamely acknowledged his second loss in 24 fights by embracing Ancajas as the final bell sounded.
According to Ancajas, it was his “toughest defense” yet and the punch stats backed his words.
Ancajas threw 758 punches and landed 232, including 176 power punches, while Rodriguez connected 283 of 826 shots with 263 power punches.
Head trainer Joven Jimenez manned Ancajas’ corner with Brendan Gibbons.
With the win, Ancajas thus stayed on course for unification with World Boxing Organization champion Kazuto Ioka of Japan.
The Filipino southpaw’s desire to tangle with the division’s big guns, though, will have to wait as Francisco Estrada, the World Boxing Association and WBC titlist, is set to tackle Roman Gonzalez for the third time while Srisaket Sor Rungvisai is set to face Carlos Cuadras. The winners will then clash for the undisputed crown.
Earlier, Mark Magsayo showed his true worth by knocking out Pablo Cruz in the fourth round of their featherweight encounter.
His tools sharpened by trainer Freddie Roach, Magsayo scored a flash knockdown in the second round with a sneaky jab.
Magsayo, who atoned for a split decision win over Rigoberto Hermosillo last October, caught Cruz with a left hook following a combination for another knockdown in the third before flooring his outclassed rival anew in the fourth.
Referee John Callas waved off the lopsided bout, handing Magsayo his 22nd straight win with 15 knockouts. Cruz dropped to 21-4 with 6 KOs. – Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.