MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines remains without a boxing world champion as Jerwin Ancajas failed to recover the title he once held for half a decade.

Ancajas succumbed to Fernando Martinez for the second straight time via unanimous decision in their battle for the IBF super flyweight belt in California, USA on Saturday, October 8 (Sunday, October 9, Manila time).

The rematch proved no different than the first time they met, with the Filipino unable to contain the aggressiveness of the Argentine, who earned the nod of all three judges, 119-109, 118-110, 118-110.

Ancajas managed to keep in step with Martinez through the first half of the fight before the relentless champion turned it up a notch starting the sixth round with an array of power punches to take control.

It did not help Ancajas’ cause that he sustained a cut on his forehead following an accidental clash of heads.

Knowing he had the lead in the judges’ scorecards, Martinez laid back in the 10th round, but Ancajas failed to capitalize, with his attempts at a knockout going in vain.

Ancajas absorbed back-to-back losses for the first time in his career as he dropped to a 33-3-2 win-loss-draw record after going undefeated for almost a decade.

The pride of Panabo, Davao del Norte owned the IBF crown from 2016 to 2022, successfully defending the title nine consecutive times, before losing it to Martinez in February via a unanimous decision loss.

Martinez, meanwhile, stayed perfect with a 15-0 card to solidify his status as an up-and-coming champion in the division.

In the undercard, Eumir Marcial remained unbeaten in his professional career with a unanimous decision win over American Steven Pirchado.

The Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist survived a cut above his right eye from an accidental headbutt in the second round of the six-round bout to improve to 3-0. – Rappler.com

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